

Slough-based PCL Transport 24/7, part of Bidvest Group, has been fined £150,000 after one of its drivers was struck by a reversing vehicle while he was carrying out a pre-use check.
Reading Crown Court heard how the employee was seriously injured at a dairy in Aylesbury on 15 December 2015. He was carrying out checks on his own lorry when he was struck by the reversing vehicle.
A Health and Safety Executive investigation found that safety controls, principally the use of an allocated pre-use vehicle area, were not being followed by the firm’s lorry drivers.
PCL Transport 24/7 pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 17 of Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations and was fined £150,000. It was also ordered to pay costs of £17,649.27 and a £120 victim surcharge.
HSE inspector Stephen Faulkner said: “Being struck by vehicles is still one of the highest causes of workplace fatal accidents. Employers should ensure that where vehicles and pedestrians use the same areas, there is sufficient separation between them.”
- Why not register for our Compliance Bulletin to receive the latest legal and fleet management advice fortnightly? Sign up free now