First Capital East pays £215,000 for bus death

Prosecutions and Claims |
20.03.2008

Bus operator First Capital East has been fined £120,000 after a worker was run over by a bus at a depot in Havering.

Brian Norman, an engineer, was fatally crushed at Rainham Bus Depot on 11 January 2003.

He had been crouching in front of the bus changing a headlamp when an employee of First's cleaning contractor walked from the rear of the bus and climbed into the driver's seat. Unable to see Norman, he moved the bus forward and ran him over.

HSE inspector Charles Linfoot reminded employers of the need to organise work areas so that vehicles and pedestrians are segregated.

He said there should have been a properly enforced ban on repair and maintenance work where buses were being moved but First had failed to supervise and coordinate the work of engineers and the movement of vehicles around the depot.

"This incident has highlighted serious shortcomings in many areas, such as risk assessment, supervision, monitoring, and coordination," he said. "In our view, the death was a wholly avoidable result of these failings."

First pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act for failing to ensure the health and safety of employees. On 17 March at Croydon Court the firm was fined £120,000 plus £95,000 costs.

Judge Ainley said he was satisfied Norman's death was a direct result of the breach and that the lack of supervision made the accident foreseeable.