Lack of work safety results in tragedy at Swinton firm

A Manchester company and its director were recently fined following a guilty plea at Manchester Crown Court relating to a fatal incident three years ago.

Alec Sharples Farm Supplies and Transport Ltd, based in Swinton, was in court related to an incident where the owner of a HGV company had died in an incident at Sandywood Industrial Estate in 2014. The firm was accused of failing to implement a safe system of work.

Daniel Adams had been working on one of his HGV trucks at the premises on the industrial estate, which he rented from Alec Sharples. Another driver reversed a HGV truck belonging to Sharples into the yard, before speaking to Adams. Following the conversation, the driver continued to reverse his HGV vehicle, not realising that Adams was between the two lorries.

Although Adams was rushed to Salford Royal Hospital, he died of internal injuries a couple of days after the incident.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the accident, finding that there had been serious failings at the site, in the operation and organisation. According to tge HSE, there should have been a safe system of work in place for HGVs that were being reversed, and also drivers who were in training. The company was fined £30,000 and had to pay legal costs of £14,000.

Ian Betley, the HSE inspector, said that the incident had been completely avoidable. Along with various other safety measures, use of PPE, safety workwear, training and risk assessment are often required at a work site, to prevent accidents from occurring.