Royal Mail fined £90k after worker crushed to death

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Royal Mail was fined £90,000 today for breaching health and safety standards after one of its workers was crushed to death at a Langley depot.

Colin Smith, 57, died after he strayed behind a reversing lorry at the Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre in 2006.

The mail giant admitted failing to ensure the health and safety of an employee while at work after it introduced shunters - HGV drivers who help direct traffic in the yard - about eight months before the accident.

Prosecuting David Travers said that the firm, which employs 1,600 staff at the Hurricane Way centre, failed to identify the risks associated with the job.

Prashant Popat, defending, pointed to the organisation's good health and safety record, the raft of safety measures that had been in place and new procedures since the September 5, 2006 death.

Ian Wheeler from Bracknell, who was driving the vehicle and a friend of the deceased, was cleared of breaching employee health and safety duties at a Reading Crown Court trial earlier this month.

Sentencing at the same court today, Judge Stephen John fined the firm £90,000 and ordered it to pay £42,549.56 costs for its failure to properly assess the risks of the shunter.

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Royal Mail was fined £90,000 today for breaching health and safety standards after one of its workers was crushed to death at a Langley depot.

Colin Smith, 57, died after he strayed behind a reversing lorry at the Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre in 2006.

The mail giant admitted failing to ensure the health and safety of an employee while at work after it introduced shunters - HGV drivers who help direct traffic in the yard - about eight months before the accident.

Prosecuting David Travers said that the firm, which employs 1,600 staff at the Hurricane Way centre, failed to identify the risks associated with the job.

Prashant Popat, defending, pointed to the organisation's good health and safety record, the raft of safety measures that had been in place and new procedures since the September 5, 2006 death.

Ian Wheeler from Bracknell, who was driving the vehicle and a friend of the deceased, was cleared of breaching employee health and safety duties at a Reading Crown Court trial earlier this month.

Sentencing at the same court today, Judge Stephen John fined the firm £90,000 and ordered it to pay £42,549.56 costs for its failure to properly assess the risks of the shunter.

On 1st March 2010, Ian Wheeler was found not guilty of breaching section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. His trial began on 22nd February 2010.

Royal Mail Group Ltd, based at 148 Old Street, London, were ordered to pay £90,000 and costs of £42,549.56 for breaching section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Reading Crown Court.

Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states: It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.