Orla Mullan, 14 Jun
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council was sentenced today at Antrim
Crown Court for a health and safety offence, following the death of a
51-year-old employee in Limavady in November 2018.
The Council pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health, safety and
welfare of its employees and was fined £75,000.
The prosecution followed the death of John Winton who on November 6
2018 was struck by a bin lorry as it was reversing in the Mount Eden
area of Limavady. Mr Winton sustained fatal crush injuries and sadly
died at the scene.
Speaking after the hearing, HSENI Principal Inspector Anne Boylan
said: “This tragic accident could have been avoided had the Council
managed the risks associated with domestic bin collections.
“Comprehensive information and guidance, specific to the waste industry
was readily available at the time of the incident. This guidance set
out clearly the risks associated with bin collections along with
reasonably practicable control measures for managing those risks.
“Tragically for the Winton family, the Council failed to implement the
necessary control measures.”
Employers are reminded of their responsibility to manage the risks
associated with waste collection activities. Suitable and sufficient
risk assessments, safe systems of work, training, supervision, and
monitoring are all essential controls to ensure that unsafe practices
do not develop.
Where the practice of “Task and Finish” is employed, a programme of
monitoring should be in place to ensure that bin collection crews do
not rush to complete the work and that safe systems of work are
followed.”
PPS Senior Public Prosecutor Michael McDaid said: “Mr Winton tragically
lost his life when he was struck by a bin lorry whilst working for
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
“Prosecutors in the PPS’s Fraud & Departmental Section worked closely
with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland to build a
robust prosecution case. This resulted in the Council chief executive
formally entering a guilty plea and accepting responsibility for the
Council’s shortcomings in relation to refuse collection at the time of
the incident.
“PPS are committed to working with our enforcement partners to
prosecute alleged health and safety offences, where the Test for
Prosecution is met. The outcome of this case must serve as a stark
warning to employers to implement comprehensive health and safety
measures to prevent individuals from being endangered and avoid any
further tragic loss of life.
“Mr Winton was a much-loved father who is sorely missed by his family
and all those who knew him. This case demonstrates the devastating
consequences that arise when the correct protocols are not in place.”