This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8002202.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Fine after binman's truck death | Fine after binman's truck death |
(2 days later) | |
A council has been fined £13,500 after a binman was crushed to death by a collection lorry. | A council has been fined £13,500 after a binman was crushed to death by a collection lorry. |
Stephen Walsh, who was 35, died after council worker David Cassidy reversed over him in Smeaton Avenue, Torrance, in January 2007. | Stephen Walsh, who was 35, died after council worker David Cassidy reversed over him in Smeaton Avenue, Torrance, in January 2007. |
The 32-year-old only realised what had happened when his colleague's body appeared on the road in front of him. | The 32-year-old only realised what had happened when his colleague's body appeared on the road in front of him. |
At Glasgow Sheriff Court, East Dunbartonshire Council admitted failing to ensure the safety of its employees. | At Glasgow Sheriff Court, East Dunbartonshire Council admitted failing to ensure the safety of its employees. |
It has since made changes to its health and safety policies and staff training. | It has since made changes to its health and safety policies and staff training. |
Mr Welsh, from Duntocher, died from severe internal injuries on arrival at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. | Mr Welsh, from Duntocher, died from severe internal injuries on arrival at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. |
David Cassidy, from Lennoxtown, was given eight penalty points and a £500 fine at an earlier hearing in the court last year. | David Cassidy, from Lennoxtown, was given eight penalty points and a £500 fine at an earlier hearing in the court last year. |
I think that the fine imposed must be a significant one Sheriff Craig Henry | I think that the fine imposed must be a significant one Sheriff Craig Henry |
Sentencing the local authority, Sheriff Craig Henry said: "In considering this case, I not only have to take into account the tragic consequences of this very serious offence, but also that steps might have been taken to avoid that tragedy. | Sentencing the local authority, Sheriff Craig Henry said: "In considering this case, I not only have to take into account the tragic consequences of this very serious offence, but also that steps might have been taken to avoid that tragedy. |
"And in considering both these factors, I think that the fine imposed must be a significant one." | "And in considering both these factors, I think that the fine imposed must be a significant one." |
Prosecutor Steven Quither told the court the council failed to consider the routes the lorries took and how they were manoeuvred around streets. | Prosecutor Steven Quither told the court the council failed to consider the routes the lorries took and how they were manoeuvred around streets. |
Mr Quither also said the crew had not been given training in how to use a "banksman", someone to guide the vehicle back when it was reversing. | Mr Quither also said the crew had not been given training in how to use a "banksman", someone to guide the vehicle back when it was reversing. |
He explained that the vehicle had a CCTV camera at the back so that the driver could see where he was going when reversing but this was dirty and pedestrians could not be seen through the dirt. | He explained that the vehicle had a CCTV camera at the back so that the driver could see where he was going when reversing but this was dirty and pedestrians could not be seen through the dirt. |
Risk assessment | Risk assessment |
Mr Quither said: "The council was in a position to direct and influence the actions of these men in their system of work. | Mr Quither said: "The council was in a position to direct and influence the actions of these men in their system of work. |
"But a failure to risk assess resulted in distressing consequences for its employees and also posed a threat to members of the public." | "But a failure to risk assess resulted in distressing consequences for its employees and also posed a threat to members of the public." |
Defence lawyer Aileen Ferguson told the court the council wished to pass on condolences to Mr Welsh's family, friends and colleagues. | Defence lawyer Aileen Ferguson told the court the council wished to pass on condolences to Mr Welsh's family, friends and colleagues. |
Miss Ferguson said: "This was a tragic accident which the council treats very seriously. | Miss Ferguson said: "This was a tragic accident which the council treats very seriously. |
"They had been under the belief that they had adequately covered the process of work but they now know that they did not." | "They had been under the belief that they had adequately covered the process of work but they now know that they did not." |
Miss Ferguson added that the council had now made changes to its health and safety policy. | Miss Ferguson added that the council had now made changes to its health and safety policy. |
Crew members now also receive training in using a "banksman" to guide vehicles when reversing. | Crew members now also receive training in using a "banksman" to guide vehicles when reversing. |
Previous version
1
Next version