Council fined over worker's death
February 10th 08:29 Health and Safety
The need for health and safety regulations on work sites has been highlighted after a man was run over by a council employee.
George Paget, a "well-liked professional manager", was killed onsite at the Dudley Metropolitan Council's Lister Road depot after fellow employee Michael Lilley drove a wheeled shovel loader the wrong way round the site's one-way system.
Following prosecution from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Mr Lilley has been fined £750 and ordered to pay £500 costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section seven of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act.
HSE inspector David Price said: "This was a terrible incident that could so easily have been prevented.
"Mr Pagett's untimely death has brought great grief to his family, and to many of his work colleagues. Drivers need to obey signs and instructions in workplaces, just as closely as they would obey them on a public highway."
The incident also resulted in a £30,000 fine and £20,000 costs for the council, which pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the act.
