Stan Robinson Distribution has been prosecuted and fined £6,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries when a wrought iron entrance gate fell on him at its Stafford site.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the haulier had failed to properly address concerns raised by staff about the gate dating back several years before the incident occurred in February 2020.
Employee Kevin Simcox, 60, arrived at the site for his morning shift and was opening the main entrance gate, which weighed between 250kg and 350kg, when it fell off its hinges and knocked him to the ground.
Despite wearing a motorbike helmet, Simcox suffered a fractured vertebrae in his neck and back. The helmet was crushed.
An HSE investigation found that the top hinge of the gate was loose which resulted in the gate coming free from its locating pin.
The company failed to ensure that its employees had a safe means of access and egress to their place of work.
The HSE said there was an inadequate system in place for identifying, actioning, recording and monitoring health and safety issues.
Employees were seemingly unaware of any system to formally record issues, with health and safety issues being reported only verbally.
Stan Robinson Distribution pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Regulations and were fined £6,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,366.60.
HSE inspector Marie Wheeler said: “This case highlights the importance of regular pro-active maintenance and inspection of work equipment, including entrance gates, to ensure equipment does not deteriorate to the extent that it puts people at risk.
“In this case Stan Robinson Distribution failed to effectively maintain their equipment and it could have easily resulted in a fatal injury.
“This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.”
The company had not responded as we went to press.
