Firm fined after collision death

A London-based waste and recycling firm has been fined £225,000 following the death of a worker involved in a vehicle collision while collecting litter from a busy road.

Veolia ES (UK) Ltd was found guilty of breaching health and safety laws after Maidstone Crown Court heard in August this year how Damian Griffiths, 20, collided with a caged vehicle, which was hit by a large goods lorry.

Mr Griffiths was litter-picking on a grass verge of the A228 with a colleague, who was driving the caged vehicle involved in the accident in Kent in 2007. The LGV driver escaped serious injury but Mr Griffiths died at the scene.

Health and Safety Executive Inspector Caroline Penwill said: "Those responsible for managing roadside jobs must ensure that safe systems of work are in place, and measures are taken to safeguard workers and members of the public."

In a statement, Richard Berry, executive director of Veolia Environmental Services, said: "We are disappointed with the jury's verdict as we believe this was the result of a road traffic accident and based on this we are seeking to appeal this matter."

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