Recovery and repair firm fined over death of mechanic

Cable reel drum jack used to support vehicle was not appropriate for the job, deems Health and Safety Executive

Recovery and repair firm fined over death of mechanic
Image: Health and Safety Executive.

An Essex-based vehicle recovery and repair company has been sentenced after one of its mechanics suffered fatal crush injuries during maintenance work.

Birmingham Magistrates’ Court heard how John Glenn was fatally injured when a rigid vehicle fell suddenly from an inadequate axle support prop on November 24, 2014 while working for Albert Road Recovery and Repair.

The incident happened hours after he had started his new job.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, found that a cable reel drum jack was used to support the vehicle.

It deemed the equipment not appropriate for the task being undertaken.

The business, which is now dissolved, has now been found guilty of breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and has been fined £20,000, the highest amount available to this court.

“It was completely avoidable”

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector John Glynn said: “This incident led to the tragic death of John Glenn and occurred within hours of him starting his new job.

“It was completely avoidable.

“Not only did the company fail to adequately induct the new starter into their business, it failed to adequately instruct and supervise him on his first day and provided him with completely unsuitable tools and equipment.

“Had the company considered the risks properly, they would have had safe systems of work and approved vehicle repair equipment in place.”

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  • #190022 Reply

    An Essex-based vehicle recovery and repair company has been sentenced after one of its mechanics suffered fatal crush injuries during maintenance work
    [See the full post at: Recovery and repair firm fined over death of mechanic]

    #190043 Reply
    Anthony Roe
    Guest

    20 K FINE FOR SOMEBODYS LIFE DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT OR ENOUGH BUT THEN WHAT PRICE DO YOU PUT ON SOMEBODYS LIFE BUT TO ME SEEMS AFULLY LOW

    #190193 Reply
    PGM French
    Guest

    That’s the motor trade all-over: profit over everything else.

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