Steve Bishop, who was 37 at the time and worked for the council as a refuse worker, was hit by a reversing lorry on Osea Way, Chelmsford, on 8 December 2017.
A HSE investigation discovered that Chelmsford city council had “inadequately managed the risks associated with operating refuse vehicles”. The council had also, according to the HSE, “failed to provide proper training and instructions to agency workers”. Additionally, the investigation revealed a lack of monitoring of employees’ working practices by the local authority.
On 16 June, Chelmsford city council plead guilty to two counts: specifically breaching both Section 2(1) and Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The council was fined £80, 000 and ordered to pay £61,065 in legal costs.
HSE inspector Saffron Turnell said: “Several health and safety management failings were identified by this public organisation which led to inconsistent systems of work and provision of training in the high-risk activity of waste collection. Nickie’s words make clear the impact Steve’s passing has had on the family and our thoughts remain with them.
“Local authorities and companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to hold to account those that fall below the required standards.”
This prosecution was supported by HSE enforcement lawyer Rebecca Schwartz.
Family
Nickie Bishop, Steve’s partner, said her family “will never get over his passing”
She said: “I would like to reiterate the pain this has caused me and my boys. My boys’ dad will never be brought back from this tragic incident. Me and my sons shall never get over this.I hope more than anything that no other family ever has to go through this heartbreak, to have a knock on the door to say their partner who is hard at work and been run over.
“For me now, as my 11-year-old and nine-year-old bring up fond memories of their dad and family moments, I am having the difficult subject of my youngest son, who is five, asking about his dad, and why he is in the sky.”
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