Home / Disasters and Accidents / Worker's Death Leads to £425k Fine for Logistics Firm
Worker's Death Leads to £425k Fine for Logistics Firm
17 Jul
Summary
- A warehouse supervisor tragically died after a fall at work.
- The company was fined £425,000 for safety regulation breaches.
- Investigation found risks from loading ramps were not controlled.
Bertschi UK Limited has been fined £425,000 after a fatal workplace incident. Warehouse supervisor Peter Hutchinson died on November 4, 2021, at the company's South Bank site in Middlesbrough. He suffered a fatal head injury after falling approximately 5ft.
The Health and Safety Executive's investigation determined that Bertschi UK Limited failed to adequately assess risks. Specifically, the company did not properly control dangers associated with pedestrian use of mobile loading ramps, despite manufacturer warnings.
Employees were allowed to use ramps lacking handrails, a direct contravention of safety advice. Bertschi was convicted of health and safety breaches at Teesside Crown Court and also ordered to pay £119,258 in costs. Mr. Hutchinson's wife expressed the immense grief of losing her husband and best friend.
