Erith-based recycling firm fined £40K after bin lorry crush death

A recycling firm has been fined £40,000 after one of its employees died from crush injuries caused by a bin lorry.

Henry Chambers, 65, from Dartford, Kent, became trapped between the vehicle's tailgate and hopper at an aggregates site in Charlton, south-east London, on 5 July 2019.

He sustained multiple injuries and died in hospital four days later.

Bin Busy Recycling Limited pleaded guilty to failing to maintain the lifting equipment.

The Erith-based company was fined and ordered to pay more than £22,000 in costs at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Mr Chambers' wife Gail said they had just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary when he died.

"It was a 40-year marriage which shouldn't have ended as abruptly as it did," she said.

"His big dream was to hire a Winnebago and drive Route 66, but he would have been just as happy down in Cornwall.

"There were lots of things we wanted to do when he retired."

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident identified multiple faults with the refuse vehicle's lifting equipment, with some parts excessively worn and missing.

It also found the equipment had not been thoroughly examined after it was purchased by Bin Busy in April 2017.

HSE inspector Gordon Carson said Mr Chambers' death was "tragic" and that it was "vitally important" work equipment was maintained and inspected regularly.

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