Mechanic killed whilst working under a single decker bus.

A commercial vehicle repair firm and its managing director were sentenced following the death of an employee who was crushed by a bus. 

Cambridge Crown Court heard how the male employee was working in a vehicle inspection pit beneath a single decker bus.

The rear of the bus had been raised off the ground and was supported on two bottle jacks, so that work could be carried out on the brakes, unfortunately the coach fell from the jacks onto the employee, killing him instantly.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident found that the company failed to plan and organise the lifting of the bus in a manner that ensured the safety of their workers. 

The coach was inadequately supported, "using only two hydraulic bottle jacks". 

It should have been supported so that it could not have fallen, using axle stands or other appropriate equipment such as a jacking beam with locking rams.

The Company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and were fined £50,000 and ordered to pay costs of £22,282.54

The director of the company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and received a custodial sentence of six months in prison suspended for 18 months.

Speaking after the hearing, the family said: “Our whole family has been devastated by the loss of our much loved and treasured David, our hearts are broken and our lives changed forever. We hope that this case will help to raise awareness that such tragic incidents and loss of life are totally avoidable and completely unnecessary, so that no other family has to go through the pain and devastation that we have to deal with. David was an amazing person and we miss him every day.”

The HSE Inspector commented: “This tragic incident led to the avoidable death of a much loved family man. His death could easily have been prevented if his employer had acted to identify and manage the risks involved, and to put a safe system of work in place"

“Employers should make sure that they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous work activities.”

The cost of the correct lifting equipment is so minimal in such a case.

A Commercial Air Hydraulic Jacking Beam with manually operated ram locks.

A Commercial Air Hydraulic Jacking Beam with Automatic Locking Rams.

Andre Cross

AXGE