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Company fined £600,000 after employee death

Inaya MohmoodBBC News
News imageGoogle maps Kelkay siteGoogle maps
The incident occurred on 15 June 2018 at the company's site in Pollington, East Yorkshire

AT A GLANCE

  • An East Yorkshire garden landscaping supplier has been fined £600,000 after an employee died after becoming trapped under a moving lorry
  • Brian White, employed by Kelkay Ltd, was fatally injured at the company's site in Pollington
  • Kelkay Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws at Grimsby Magistrates' Court on 30 March

An East Yorkshire garden landscaping supplier has been fined £600,000 after an employee died while loading a lorry.

Brian White, 59, was working for Kelkay Ltd when he was fatally injured after the lorry he was loading was moved by the driver, pulling a forklift over and trapping him underneath.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company's risk assessment failed to take into account the possibility of lorries moving while being loaded.

Kelkay Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act at Grimsby Magistrates' Court on 30 March.

News imageHealth and Safety Executive Brian WhiteHealth and Safety Executive
"He was a well-known part of the local area and his loss has affected many people around the community," said Brian's eldest son Barry

The company was also ordered to pay £20,848.71 in costs.

Mr White's eldest son Barry has said that "not a day goes by without me thinking of my dad" and that "he was our rock who we could turn to for advice and help".

His partner Joan said: "Brian went to work that day but didn't return home, through no fault of his own.

"We had made plans for the future together but then everything was turned upside down on that day.

"My life was a total disaster from that day."

HSE inspector John Boyle said: "This incident could have been avoided by implementing the correct control measures and safe working practices.

"Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards."