A steel company has been found guilty after a worker was killed due to a number of safety failings…

Sheffield-based steel firm, Daver Steels Ltd, Petre Street, was fined at Sheffield Crown Court last Friday after a “catalogue of safety failings” led to a worker being killed.

Robert Ismay, 42, of Thirsk a father-of-three and delivery driver, was fatally wounded by steel tubes weighing in at three tonnes after they fell off his lorry.

At an HSE hearing, Daver Steels were ordered to foot a bill of £100,000 as a result of the incident.

Commenting on his sentencing, HSE inspector Chris Gallagher said: “Unfortunately, this type of incident is not unique or new. What happened to Robert Ismay was a tragedy that has had devastating consequences for his wife, children and wider family.”

Mr Ismay was a trained but inexperienced forklift truck driver who was told to lift steel tubes.

It was heard that Daver Steels made no checks as to where the load was to be positioned or what was to be offloaded.

While lifting the steel tubes, it was identified that the forks’ reach was too short, which resulted in the bundles falling off and hitting Ismay.

In court last Friday, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) stated that what should have been a straightforward operation was beset by failings, where Ismay’s death would have been avoided if simple planning and suitable instructions were put in place.

It was also heard that an inspection conducted by Daver Steels would have identified that the only safe way to unload the steel was with a crane. However, no planning of the task was conducted, where road users were also put at risk.
 
“There was a series of safety failings by Daver Steels in this case. Key was its failure to put in place adequate control measures, which includes the provision of suitable instructions to employees and visiting workers so such tasks could be completed safely,” said Gallagher.

“Daver Steels should have taken responsibility for the driver’s safety and the delivery and unloading operation. Companies that receive deliveries to their premises have a duty to ensure that any unloading operation is carried out in a safe manner.”

After admitting to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, Daver Steels Ltd Petre Street, Sheffield was fined £62,000 on top of £38,000 in costs.