A cider manufacturer has been fined after a much-loved grandfather was killed on his 65th birthday.
Tommy Manns from Dymock, Gloucestershire, was driving for H Weston and Sons Limited, the manufacturer of Henry Westons Cider, when he was killed by the end of a security barrier on 28 September 2020.
On Thursday, H Weston and Sons Limited received a £1.4 million fine, after the company was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The van was being driven out of the firm’s site at Bounds Farm, March Marcle, Ledbury, when the end of a security barrier speared through the vehicle’s windshield and fatally crushed Tommy.
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A HSE investigation into the incident found H Weston and Sons had installed the barrier a month earlier, and failed to undertake a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. The company also failed to implement a safe system of work to ensure the barrier could be secured safely when open and closed.