A transport firm has been fined almost £500,000 following the tragic death of a lorry driver who fell from his vehicle. Christopher Barnes, 69, fell roughly 2.3 metres while unloading the trailer of his vehicle at Cotswold Doors Limited in Fairford on April 23, 2018
District Judge Nicholas Wattam of Cheltenham Magistrates Court ordered the Devereux Development Ltd of Billingham to pay £480,000 plus costs of £12,053.06 and a victim surcharge of £170. The company initially pleaded guilty in April to failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of employees, including Mr Barnes.
An inquest jury then ruled in May 2019 that the driver's was accidental after he suffered an intracranial haemorrhage from the fall from the palletized load on his truck, Teesside Live reports. Following the inquest, however, the Gloucestershire Coroner Katie Skerrett submitted a report designed to prevent similar deaths in future. She sent the report to Cotswold Doors Ltd, Devereux Developments Ltd and the Health and Safety Executive.
An inquest jury found in May 2019 that Mr Barnes died an accidental death after suffering an intracranial haemorrhage in the 2.3-metre fall from the palletized load on his truck. Following the inquest, however, the Gloucestershire Coroner Katie Skerrett submitted a report designed to prevent similar deaths in future. She sent the report to Cotswold Doors Ltd, Devereux Developments Ltd and the Health and Safety Executive.
In her report she described the circumstances of Mr Barnes' tragic fall. "On the 23rd of April 2018 he was delivering doors in his curtained side HGV to a company in Fairford," she stated. "Employees of this company unloaded the HGV.
"During this process Mr Barnes climbed up onto the bed of the lorry. He then climbed up onto the palletised load. Whilst attempting to untangle the straps which were used to secure the load he took a step back and fell from the lorry, impacting with the concrete floor below. He fell approximately 2.3m.
"He was initially unconscious and was transferred by ambulance to the regional specialist unit. CT investigations demonstrated that he had sustained significant head injuries. He underwent operative intervention.
"Post operatively his condition steadily deteriorated. He passed away as a result of his injuries at 22.05 hours on the 24th of April 2018.
"During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. Whilst the haulage company and the destination company involved in this incident have addressed all the health and safety concerns surrounding this area of practice, in my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken.
"The matters of concern are as follows: whether consignees and consigners and their employees have sufficient understanding of the hazards and risks associated with working at height on a vehicle or vehicle trailer and whether they ensure an appropriate level of safety and have in place sufficient control measures to satisfy their legal obligations.
"In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action."
The tragic death of Mr Barnes came a month before the company's boss Russ Devereux took his own life at Leven viaduct on the A19.
An inquest into Mr Devereux's death was told how he had been deeply affected by the accident. The charity Headlight was set up in memory of the 41-year-old following his death to provide mental health education and support for children and adults.
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