A County Tyrone commercial vehicle company has been fined £14,000 after an employee sustained serious injuries while working beneath a lorry.
Sean Kelly Commercials Ltd was sentenced at Dungannon Crown Court today (Tuesday), after earlier pleading guilty to a single health and safety offence following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI).
The court heard that on 23 October 2023, an employee became trapped between the trailer bed of a four-axle beavertail lorry and its rear wheel while investigating the source of an air leak.
During the work, an airbag on the vehicle’s suspension system deployed, causing the trailer to drop. The trailer had not been adequately supported while the investigations were taking place underneath it, resulting in serious injuries to the worker.
Prosecutors in the Public Prosecution Service’s Fraud & Departmental Section worked with HSENI to bring the case.
Speaking after the hearing, HSENI Principal Inspector Justine McIntyre said: “This incident could have been avoided. The employee suffered serious injuries, but the outcome really could have been much worse.
“When working with vehicles fitted with air suspension, vehicle ground clearance can suddenly and unexpectedly change with a drop in air pressure. This creates trapping and crushing risks, especially for those working beneath them. It is essential that these tasks are adequately risk assessed, a safe system of work is in place and suitable control measures are used.
“Such controls range from carrying out the work from a vehicle inspection pit to the use of suitable props including axle stands. Guidance is readily available to employers.”
Following the incident, an HSENI inspector served a prohibition notice on Sean Kelly Commercials Ltd. The notice prevented any further work being carried out underneath vehicles where there was a risk of entrapment unless the vehicle’s body was properly supported.
HSENI has highlighted existing guidance for employers, including HSE document HSG261 – Health and safety in motor vehicle repair and associated industries – which sets out how to manage the risks in vehicle maintenance and repair.
The guidance details safe ways to work beneath vehicles, including the use of inspection pits and suitable supports such as props and axle stands.
