Ginsters owner fined £1.28M following worker’s death
Samworth Brothers, the parent company of Ginsters, has been fined £1.28 million following the death of an employee, Paul Clarke, who was struck by a reversing lorry at the company’s plant in Callington, Cornwall. Mr. Clarke, 40, sustained fatal injuries in the incident on December 2, 2021, and later died in the hospital.
The tragic accident occurred when Clarke, a recent hire, was moving strip curtains in the loading bay at Ginsters’ Cornwall facility. The lorry was reversing into the bay, and Mr. Clarke, unaware of the potential danger, was crushed during the maneuver. During a hearing at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court, it was revealed that Samworth Brothers had failed to provide adequate training for Mr. Clarke on handling the strip curtains, in violation of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Alongside the significant £1.28 million fine, Samworth Brothers was also ordered to pay an additional £24,106 in legal costs following a detailed investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE’s comprehensive review uncovered critical deficiencies in the company’s safety protocols, particularly regarding the management of loading bay hazards. Their investigation revealed that Samworth Brothers had failed to conduct a risk assessment for the strip curtains that were temporarily installed in the loading area to shield it from external elements. These curtains presented a specific hazard during lorry operations, especially when large vehicles were reversing into the bay.
This oversight created a hazardous environment for employees, ultimately contributing to the fatal incident that claimed Mr. Clarke’s life. The HSE emphasized the necessity for companies to establish and communicate safe practices for handling all equipment within their facilities, especially in high-risk areas like loading bays where vehicle and pedestrian interactions are frequent.
HSE inspector Aimie Baker highlighted the risks posed to pedestrians in workplaces involving heavy vehicles, noting that incidents like Mr. Clarke’s were among the leading causes of workplace fatalities, with 25 recorded deaths involving pedestrians in 2023/24. Baker emphasized that employers should take proactive steps to separate pedestrian areas from vehicle zones within workplace environments.
Mr. Clarke’s mother, Bernice, expressed the profound impact her son’s loss has had on their family, stating that they no longer celebrate Christmas, as the holiday falls too close to the anniversary of his death. HSE officials extended their condolences, recognizing the family’s deep pain and loss.
Following the case, Samworth Brothers issued a statement conveying their sorrow and shock over the incident. The company acknowledged that Mr. Clarke was a beloved member of the Cornwall Bakery community, known for his positive spirit and respected by his colleagues. In the wake of the accident, Samworth Brothers conducted a comprehensive internal review and immediately implemented several new safety measures to reinforce workplace safety. The firm affirmed that employee health and safety is its highest priority and pledged to continue improving its systems and procedures to prevent future tragedies.
The case has served as a reminder of the importance of stringent safety practices in workplaces involving large vehicles and pedestrian interactions. The HSE continues to urge companies to assess and mitigate risks, emphasizing that a structured approach to workplace safety can prevent similar incidents.