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Energy firm heavily fined after workman died in loader incident
Major energy support services company, Hargreaves (UK) Services Ltd of Durham, has been fined £120,000 and ordered to pay £35,000 prosecution costs following the death of Alan Noddle, who died when he was struck by a loading shovel in July 2007.
Mr Noddle, aged 48, worked as a maintenance fitter and was working at Immingham Docks on the day of the fatal incident.
Loader bucket obscured driver visibility
He died when he was struck by a large loading shovel being used to transfer coal from one area of the plant to another. The driver of the vehicle could not see Mr Noddle as he walked across the stockyard because the large bucket on the loading shovel blocked his view.
After the hearing HSE Inspector Geoffrey Clark said:
“This is a tragic case where a man died as a result of dangerous practices at the site. The loading shovel severely obscured the driver’s view.
Despite this it was common practice for employees to be allowed to walk in the area where these machines were being operated.
I would urge all employers to be aware of the dangers of moving vehicles of all sizes and to put appropriate measures in place to segregate people from moving vehicles to prevent another tragedy from happening.”
The court heard that safety improvements have been made at the firm following the death. Judge Simon Jack said:
“Nothing I do today will fill the void left by Mr Noddle. It is not intended to be a reflection of the value of his life.”