Halifax-based The Haulage (Holdings) Organisation, part of the Leo Group, has been fined £20,000 after its transport manager was run over by one of its trucks, suffering serious injuries to his legs and feet.
The company, which is the transport arm of the Omega Proteins animal by-product supply business, was granted an O-licence with strict conditions last year after five of its sister companies had their licences revoked for a number of offences. It was re-launched in March 2014 with a new management team that includes former Eddie Stobart operations director Peter Kelly.
Transport manager Graham Robinson was struck by a moving vehicle when walking from the site office building to the car park at the firm’s Quarry Garage, Stainton, Cumbria site on 30 April 2014.
He was unable to walk along the side of the yard as usual, as a trench had been dug to repair a diesel pipe and a HGV and trailer had been parked at the side of the yard, blocking the usual pedestrian route.
Robinson was knocked to the ground by the tractor unit and trapped beneath the fuel tank. His colleagues had to use a plant vehicle to lift the unit to free him.
He suffered two broken toes, a stretched tendon in one foot and bruising to his legs and is still experiencing difficulties with one ankle and both knees, which may require surgery.
The Haulage (Holdings) Organisation pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act and was fined £20,000 with £1,878.50 costs at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on 13 May.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Matthew Tinsley said the accident “could have easily been fatal” and may have been prevented if the operator had taken steps to keep pedestrians and vehicles separate in the yard. It had no effective segregation methods, such as railings or pedestrian crossings, in place at the time of the incident.
