Verdant calls for safety review following crew fatality

At last month's inquest, HM Coroner Andrew Haigh ruled that 18-year old collection operative Craig Reaney, died on a round in Rugeley in March 2009 (see letsrecycle.com story) “as a consequence of an unintended act of omission having stumbled and been caught under the wheels of a refuse vehicle”.

Mr Reaney was working as a loader for the Kent-based company under its contract to collect kerbside recycling on behalf of Cannock Chase district council when the fatal incident occurred.

At the inquest, Mr Haigh also asked Verdant to review its safety induction manual, in a move to reduce the risk of further death or injury, and it has now been revised to clearly prohibit collection workers from holding on to or having contact with a vehicle in motion – as well as the existing prohibition on employees riding on a moving vehicle.

And, Verdant's operations manager, David Maidman, called on all other councils and waste management companies running collections to do the same.

“When it comes to safety, we must learn from each other. I wouldn't want anyone else to go through such a traumatic experience,” he said.

Mr Maidman stressed that Verdant's operating rules had always been very clear about the “inherent dangers” of working near a vehicle, and that the company had emphasised this during its staff induction and during operations.

“But, as this case shows, an unexpected stumble can have the most terrible consequences. We have reviewed all our operational safety rules and our induction process and materials, and are reminding all crews that safety is paramount,” he added.