HSE issues vehicle safety warning

Following the death of a Russian seaman at a quayside in Goole, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging businesses to implement safety precautions and practices concerning the movement of vehicles in and around loading and unloading areas.

The victim was walking along the quayside when he was struck and fatally injured by a reach stacker used for transferring goods to and from boats.

Goole magistrates' court fined Transatlantic UK £10,000 and ordered it to pay costs of £7,442.40 in costs for breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Kirsty Welsh, the HSE's inspector, said vehicle safety measures must be in place to reduce the risk of injury to workers.

"Employers must look carefully at the hazards and risks in their workplace and take steps to eliminate or reduce them," she said.

Recently, FOCSA Services was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,277 at Calderdale magistrates' court after a worker was hit and injured by a moving vehicle in the workplace.