A waste collection firm in Luton has been instructed to pay almost £2 million in fines and costs after being found guilty of health and safety failings following the death of a binman.
The incident occurred when Peter Coleman was collecting waste at Woodside Leisure Complex on Saturday 11 October 2014.
His vehicle began to roll away and while attempting to regain control and stop the runaway vehicle, Peter was struck and died of his injuries.
Following a police investigation, a coroner’s inquest and an investigation by Watford Borough Council, the decision to prosecute Peter’s employer, F&R Cawley, was based on evidence indicating serious issues with the condition of the vehicle and the practices of the company.
The prosecutor said the brakes on the lorry’s second axle were faulty and a mechanism that prevented the bin lift being operated when the vehicle was in gear had been disabled.