Dorset haulage firm in the dock
Thursday, September 10th, 2009A Dorset haulage company and its senior managers have been fined a total of almost £60,000 for health and safety breaches, after one of its employees was cleared of manslaughter charges in relation to a road crash.
The Safety & Health Practioner online reports that Blandford-based Translact was fined £10,000 for breaching section 2(1) of the HSWA 1974 and £30,000 for breaching section 3(1) in relation to the deaths of Neville and Cheryl De’Ath on 2 March 2007.
The case appeared before Winchester Crown Court last Friday and the court heard that the couple were hit by an articulated lorry owned by the firm while travelling on the A303 in Wiltshire.
Company secretary Claire Ridout was fined a total of £8000 for the same breaches. Ms Ridout also pleaded guilty, although the original indictment against her was amended to delete reference to “consent or connivance”, so that it was clear the charges were brought in relation to her neglect of duty.
Company director Robert Taylor was ordered to pay fines of £1500 and £5700, respectively, for the same breaches, while Christopher Taylor, a director of Translact’s parent company, Taymix Transport Ltd, received fines of £1500 and £3000 – again, for the same breaches, respectively.
