£100,000 fine for driver's death

Mr Parsons was working at a site in Rover Way, Cardiff

The death of a lorry driver, set alight when a truck overloaded with molten steel slag tipped over, was a "disaster waiting to happen", a judge has said.

Carl Parsons' employer, Short Brothers Plant Ltd, admitted breaking health and safety laws and was fined £100,000.

Mr Parsons was engulfed in flames when the truck tipped over and the 800C slag ignited diesel spilling from the tank.

The 55-year-old father-of-two from Pontprennau, Cardiff, died two days after the accident in April 2002.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Short Brothers had not done proper health and safety checks on its vehicles at its site at the former Allied Steel and Wire (ASW) works on Rover Way, where Mr Parsons was working.

Mr Parsons died as a result of the company's systematic failure of basic health and safety features Bryan Thomas, prosecuting

The truck had been modified to carry the scorching hot slag. But the extra weight affected the brakes, which were not tested regularly, the court heard.

There were no eye witnesses to the accident and investigators never discovered why the truck tipped over.

The court heard Mr Parson's brother Selwyn had been driving it earlier the same day and had reported no problems when he handed the keys to his brother on the afternoon shift.

Sentencing, Judge Gerald Price QC said the accident could have been avoided.

Load

"This was a disaster waiting to happen," he said.

Judge Price said Mr Parson's death happened "following the defendant's failure to ensure his safety".

His employers Short Brothers Plant Limited, of Port Talbot, admitted failing to ensure the health and safety of the employee in the accident.

Prosecutor Bryan Thomas described how part of the truck's rigging was badly maintained and had seized. He said the brakes were capable of working, but to a reduced effect and the chain on the petrol cap had been broken and not replaced.

"The load on Mr Parsons' truck was 16% more than recommended by the manufacturer.

"The brakes failed as he drove up a slope to release the waste metal. But the truck rolled back and tipped over igniting the truck's diesel fuel which had escaped through the leaking cap.

Mr Parsons got out of his cab, but could not escape the fire., and was found some distance away, seriously injured.

'Deeply regretted'

"Mr Parsons died as a result of the company's systematic failure of basic health and safety features," Mr Thomas said.

Defending, John Williams, said it was the first accident of its kind for the company, which had since improved its health and safety record, investing heavily to make sure it was not repeated.

Short Brothers Plant Limited was also ordered to pay £42,000 costs.

Afterwards the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) welcomed the fine.

HSE principal inspector Steve Scott said: "This is a most tragic case, and must serve as a warning to all companies engaged in potentially hazardous activities of the need for thorough and robust health and safety measures to protect their employees."