A coroner has asked the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to explain how it intends to prevent deaths while unloading hay bales from HGVs after a driver was crushed to death in Cheshire.
Senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish said an investigation into the death of lorry driver Tony Williams had raised concerns that more fatalities could occur unless action was taken.
Williams, 45, had driven from Suffolk to deliver 33 bales and had reversed down a public domain road with a slope of 4.5 degrees, comparable to a wheelchair ramp.
Williams was then witnessed by a farmhand unstrapping his load when three of the bales, which had been loaded width ways and in the opposite direction to the rest of the delivery, fell from the back.
The farmhand used his telehandler to remove two bales that had fallen on Williams and administered CPR until an ambulance arrived. However, despite additional measures taken by paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene on 2 December 2020.
Devonish said the HSE had produced laser measurements and images identifying the centre of gravity and risks associated with unloading overhanging bales on a slope when the most rearward bales are loaded widthways.
It concluded that the accident would not have occurred if Williams had not unloaded the HGV with the overhang facing downhill.
The coroner said: “During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.
“It became apparent that there were no clear images in the guidance or support materials produced by HSE to assist drivers who load and unload bales.”
Devonish added that the HSE must respond within 56 days explaining what action will be taken.
