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Gregory Distribution fined UM* over death
Page 20
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The haulier was fined after a vineyard owner was killed while helping to unload a delivery of bottles.
DEVON HAULIER Gregory Distribution has been fined £200,000 after a vineyard owner was killed when empty wine bottles he was unloading from the tail-lift of a truck fell onto him.
The prosecution at Truro Crown Court, brought by the Health and Safety Executive (11SE), was told that in April 2008. George Musgrave, the owner of Polmassick Vineyard. near St Austell, Cornwall. had been helping to unload a delivery of bottles from the back of the vehicle, driven by an agency driver.
The load fell from the tail-lift causing Musgrave to suffer from fatal head and chest injuries.
Gregory Distribution had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at Bodmin Magistrates to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act by exposing someone to risk by failing to ensure adequate arrangements and procedures for the unloading of pallets. 'Me company was also ordered to pay £16,993 in costs. FISE inspector Simon Jones says the accident highlights the dangers involved in unloading large and heavy loads using a tail-lift.
He adds: -Employers should ensure that employees are given the right equipment. information, instruction and training to allow them to unload loads safely.
"Where employers use the services of agency staff, they should ensure that those agency staff are aware of the systems of work in place and have the skills and training to undertake the required tasks. Tail-lifts should be examined by a competent person at least every six months to ensure that they are safe to use."
Gregory Distribution says it -greatly
regrets" the circumstances leading to the death and accepts the findings of the court.
A statement from the company adds: "Gregory Distribution takes a responsible and committed approach to health and safety and to all training in general.
"A full time department of 13 personnel, including a senior health and safety manager, provide a considerable resource to ensure the company meets and surpasses all regulatory health and safety requirements.
"Although the court recognised Gregory Distribution's prompt response in this matter. the company recognises that this is no substitute for the tragic loss suffered by the Musgrave family and we extend our condolences to them."