STAGECOACH DEVON FINED AFTER WORKER CRUSHED

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2022 :: RMTnews 8 Bus company Stagecoach Devon has been fined £380,000 after driver David Heathfield was crushed between a reversing bus and a stationary vehicle. The Health and Safety Executive, which prosecuted the firm, said that the employee of Stagecoach Devon was working at the company’s Torquay depot on October 3, 2019. Due to space limitations, buses often had to reverse to be able to leave the depot in readiness for the day’s work. The sole banksman, who would direct vehicles, was occupied at the top of the depot where most buses were parked. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said that, as a result, it became custom and practice for the bus drivers at the front of the depot to reverse without a banksman, or to assist each other when reversing, despite not being trained as banksmen. The injured employee, who was caught between a reversing bus and a stationary vehicle, suffered compound multiple fractures of his arm requiring six titanium plates and 65 metal staples between his wrist and elbow. A HSE investigation found that Stagecoach Devon failed to put a suitable and sufficient risk assessment in place. This should have identified the risks inherent in the bus parking layout and action could have been taken to remove the need to reverse or mitigate the risks from reversing. For example, changing the parking layout, providing a sufficient number of trained banksmen for peak times, and improved segregation of vehicles and pedestrians, said the HSE in a statement. At Plymouth Magistrates Court, Stagecoach Devon pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £380,000 and ordered to pay costs of £18,000. After the hearing, RMT regional organiser Barry West said: "It was clear to all who knew Dave that he was a loyal and hard-working employee who has had his life prematurely put on hold and his career ended abruptly. "His injuries were life- changing and the six fractures in his lower arm have affected his ability to drive, eat and left him severely incapacitated of undertaking many day-to-day essential activities or any hobbies. The impact of this accident has meant he has a lifelong disability, it has affected him mentally, emotionally, physically and socially. "The workplace safety arrangements were wholly inadequate at the Torquay Depot and, I hope that this outcome will mean that Stagecoach Bus will take notice of the outcome but most of all start to listen, engage effectively and constructively to us and work with the RMT union to make the environment that our members work in a much safer place for all. "Lessons must be learned and actions taken, no matter how many policies, procedures any employer may have, enabling them, monitoring them, auditing them and ensuring compliance is absolutely essential." A Stagecoach Devon spokesperson said that the company had assisted the Health and Safety Executive in its investigation in any way that could and had fully implemented improvements. Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector James Collins said that those in control of work had a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in the safe system of work. “If a suitable safe system of work had been in place prior to the incident, the life- changing injuries sustained by the employee could have been prevented,” he said. STAGECOACH DEVON FINED AFTER WORKER CRUSHED Company admitted breaking the Health and Safety at Work Act after reversing bus traps worker VICTORY: Injured bus driver David Heathfield, centre, outside Plymouth Magistrates Court, with left, former colleague Stephen Coombes, and right, RMT regional organiser Barry West.