Worker Suffered Fatal Injuries after Being Struck by HGV

Imperial Commercials Limited has been prosecuted and fined after an employee was killed whilst working for the commercial vehicle company.

Unsafe Practice

Father of three, Craig Stewart Dunn, was struck and crushed by a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) whilst he was working outside the firm’s workshop in Loxley Road. The driver of the vehicle could not see what was immediately in front of him, as the front grill of the HGV was raised. At the time, the driver thought he had hit a stationary vehicle and did not realise he had hit Mr Dunn, 44.

Warwick Crown Court was told that this was not the first time that vehicles were driven in such an unsafe manner at Imperial Commercials Limited. The court heard that on occasion, employees of the commercial vehicle company would drive HGVs around the site in Wellesbourne with the front grill raised, obstructing the driver’s view.

Sentencing & Fines

After pleading guilty to offences under Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at an earlier hearing, Imperial Commercials Limited, registered at Imperial House, High Street High, Wycombe, was fined £166,000, and ordered to pay £46,500 in costs.

Health and Safety Executive inspector Mark Austin said after the hearing:

“The tragic, needless loss of Mr Dunn’s life could have been prevented had Imperial Commercials Ltd properly considered the risks from the movement of heavy goods vehicles at this site, and provided effective segregation of pedestrians from moving vehicles.

“Even though the vehicle that crushed him was travelling at less than 5Km/h, the size and weight of the vehicle left him no chance of survival.

“Companies that work with vehicles of all sizes need to ensure that all pedestrians are able to circulate and work safely at their premises, at all times.”

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Source: Health and Safety Executive