Hermes fined £850k after worker crushed to death at Lanarkshire depot

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A parcel delivery firm was fined £850,000 this week after a worker was crushed to death at a depot.David Kennedy, 43, had just started training on new equipment for moving trailers when he was involved in a horror accident.He was rushed to hospital with serious chest injuries but died two days later.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Hermes Parcelnet Limited admitted that breaches of health and safety legislation led to Mr Kennedy's death at Eurocentral, Lanarkshire, in March 2019.A sheriff said the tragedy could have been avoided had “significant failings” in training been addressed.

Imran Bashir, prosecuting, told Hamilton Sheriff Court that Mr Kennedy had been with the company for around 20 years and was described as a "competent and hard-working" employee.

The company had introduced trailer movers and workers were being shown how to attach these and move trailers in and out of loading bays.Mr Bashir said the night shift worker had started his training only 30 minutes before the accident.At that point he should have still been at the "classroom assessment" stage.Mr Bashir told the court: "Training on the trailer itself should not have taken place until the second hour."There was no appropriate supervision.