Refuse firm fined £130k
February 16th 09:37 Health and Safety
Refuse company Veolia ES, which previously traded under the name Onyx UK, has been handed a £350,000 bill for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.
The London-based firm was fined £130,000 and ordered to pay £220,000 in costs after the breaches lead to the death of an employee.
Aylesbury Crown Court heard how refuse collector David Ives was killed after a recycling bin fell from a hoist on a lorry and landed on his head.
Effective facilities management could have contributed to preventing the incident as the Health and safety Executive (HSE) pointed out that "simple measures" could have seen the accident avoided.
Dennis MacWilliam, an HSE inspector, said: "This was an extremely tragic incident which has now left Mr Ives' widow to continue life without a loving husband. It could have been avoided if only a few simple measures had been in place.
"Employers are legally required to make sure their equipment is regularly maintained and is fit for use by their workers."
The fine was handed out after the court found Veolia ES guilty of breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the 1974 Act.
