Hessle Plant Ltd: £434,000 fine for West Yorkshire firm following 'preventable' death of delivery driver

Chris Keegan – who was described by his widow Dianne as “wonderful, kind and generous” – was loading a forklift onto a trailer on November 20 2023 at Hessle Plant Ltd’s main depot in Castleford, West Yorkshire.

As the 67-year-old, who lived just outside of Wakefield, reversed onto the trailer shortly after 6am, the forklift fell over the side.

Mr Keegan, who wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the seat and became trapped between the chassis of the forklift and a neighbouring trailer.

His wife and two of his stepdaughters arrived as the emergency services fought to save his life, but his injuries proved fatal.

A Health and Safety Executive investigation found that whilst Hessle Plant Ltd carried out full pre-delivery inspection on forklifts being delivered to new customers, at the time the company didn’t do this for machines being returned to existing customers.

An examination found several defects which should have been identified and rectified before the forklift – which was being returned to a customer in Sheffield - was operated. Many of the staff “rarely” wore seatbelts when operating forklifts, and there was no system for ensuring they were used.

The firm, of Carrwood Road Industrial Estate, Glasshoughton, admitted a breach of health and safety at Leeds Magistrates. It was fined £433,550 and ordered to pay £8,147 costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge.

Mrs Keegan said her husband “never deserved to die in such tragic circumstances”. She said: “My heart is broken, and I will never get over losing my husband in such a horrific way.”

HSE Inspector David Beaton, said Mr Keegan would have been unaware of the defects when attempting to reverse the forklift in the dark onto a trailer with an exposed edge.

He said the accident was unlikely to have proven fatal had he been wearing the seatbelt provided.