A YORK skip hire company has had its fine over a fatal incident at its base slashed by three quarters.

Tuesday, 17 December 2024 11:41

By Megi Rychlikova

Elizabeth Smith, 73, died when she was hit by a reversing lorry at Martins of York Ltd site on Osbaldwick Industrial Estate, York, the city’s crown court heard.

Giles Grant, for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), said 50 or so vehicles a day moved in and out of the site, many having to reverse in because of the size of the site entrance. The site also had waste disposal vehicles moving about the site and employees were constantly working in close proximity to vehicles. Some of the vehicles were operated by other companies.

But Martins of York didn’t use banksmen to make sure the way behind reversing vehicles was clear and didn’t have walkways to separate pedestrians from vehicles.

Martins of York Ltd, of Osbaldwick Lane, York, pleaded guilty to failure to ensure the safety of employees and failure to ensure the safety of non-employees at its workplace.

A year ago, district judge Adrian Lower fined the company £268,000 at York Magistrates' Court and ordered it to pay £10,132 costs to HSE.

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