Tilbury-based container haulier YCT, which trades as Youngs Container Transport, has been fined £170,000 after a driver was crushed between two trucks at its site.
The HGV driver suffered fatal injuries in October 2015 when his truck rolled forward while he was coupling a tractor unit to a trailer at the firm’s site in Thurrock Park Way.
The HSE said YCT had failed to monitor arrangements to ensure that drivers were consistently coupling and uncoupling trailers in a safe manner and in line with industry guidance.
It said that as a result of the company’s failure to implement safe systems of work, a culture developed whereby drivers were not always using trailer parking brakes.
YCT pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Southend Magistrates Court on 5 October. It was fined £170,000 with £6,268.80 in costs.
HSE inspector Jessica Churchyard said: “This tragic incident led to the avoidable death of a young man, and was caused in part by the failure of his employer to implement and monitor safe systems of work to prevent vehicle runaways.
“This death could have easily been prevented if his employer had acted to identify and manage the risks involved, and followed the industry guidance.”
