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SPEEDY HIRE score award hat-trick
Newton-le-Willows-based hire company Speedy Hire has been named
the UK’s best for the third time, thanks to its work in helping to improve
the safety of construction workers.
Speedy, the UK’s largest tool and equipment hire
business with over 500 depots nationwide, won
trade-bible Contract Journal’s ‘Best Hire Company’
award after launching its latest health and safety
campaign focussed on dust control.
Speedy’s award-winning ‘Safety From The Ground
Up’ campaign, which is in its third year and
primarily targeted at construction workers, aims
to increase the awareness of risk and promote
safer practice when working. Neil Thompson,
group brand manager for Speedy Hire, said: “This
latest achievement is further evidence of how the
business is going from strength to strength. This
year we’ve won numerous awards for our health
and safety campaigns and our CSR position and
this industry award is the icing on the cake.”
From the left: Vicky Butler-Henderson, New Holland Sales and
Marketing Director Kevin Purcell; Alan Gorman, Speedy Hire Director
of National Accounts and Contract Journal Editor Emma Penny.
HSE warning
after worker
dies falling
from a lorry
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned
employers of the need to undertake proper risk
assessments in order to manage their employees’
health, safety and welfare. The warning comes after
an HSE prosecution resulting from the death of a
Wirral lorry driver.
TNT Logistics UK Ltd of TNT House, Holly Lane,
Atherstone, Warwickshire, was fined £120,000
and ordered to pay total costs of £28,184.75 after
pleading guilty at Manchester Crown Court to
breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at
Work etc Act 1974.
Lorry driver Derek Howe, aged 56, suffered fatal
injuries on 15 May 2004 when he fell off a lorry
parked at TNT’s premises at Brinell Drive in Irlam.
He was trying to help free a worktop on the back of
the lorry when he fell approximately two metres onto
the concrete yard.
HSE inspector Richard Clarke said: “Mr Howe’s
death could have been prevented if TNT had
taken appropriate precautions in line with health
and safety legislation. Every year 2,000 people
are injured at work falling from vehicles. Falls are
currently the second highest cause of fatalities
and injuries in the transport industry. Even falling
a short distance can be very serious, or even fatal.
Employers and self-employed people operating
lorries need to avoid the need for work at height
on the lorry wherever possible. Where that is not
possible, they must take measures to prevent falls.
Companies should ensure staff are adequately
trained in how to reduce the risks. Climbing on
top of loads should be avoided wherever possible
and permanent platforms or gantries may assist
with this.”
6
February 2008