Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council fined £75,000 for health and safety failures resulting in death of 51-year-old employee John Winton in bin lorry accident
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has been fined £75,000 in court for health and safety failures resulting in a 51-year-old employee being crushed to death by a bin lorry.
John Winton was struck by a bin lorry as it was reversing in the Mount Eden area of Limavady on 6 November 2018.
He suffered fatal crush injuries and died at the scene.
The Limavady father-of-two also worked as a firefighter at Limavady Fire Station.
Today in Antrim Crown Court the council pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees and was fined £75,000.
Speaking after the hearing, Health and Safety Executive Executive NI Principal Inspector Anne Boylan said: “This tragic accident could have been avoided had the Council managed the risks associated with domestic bin collections.
“Comprehensive information and guidance, specific to the waste industry was readily available at the time of the incident. This guidance set out clearly the risks associated with bin collections along with reasonably practicable control measures for managing those risks.
“Tragically for the Winton family, the Council failed to implement the necessary control measures.”
She added that a programme of monitoring should be in place to ensure that bin collection crews "do not rush to complete the work and that safe systems of work are followed".
Senior Public Prosecutor Michael McDaid added: “Mr Winton tragically lost his life when he was struck by a bin lorry whilst working for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
“Prosecutors in the PPS’s Fraud & Departmental Section worked closely with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland to build a robust prosecution case. This resulted in the Council chief executive formally entering a guilty plea and accepting responsibility for the Council’s shortcomings in relation to refuse collection at the time of the incident."
He added: "The outcome of this case must serve as a stark warning to employers to implement comprehensive health and safety measures to prevent individuals from being endangered and avoid any further tragic loss of life.
“Mr Winton was a much-loved father who is sorely missed by his family and all those who knew him. This case demonstrates the devastating consequences that arise when the correct protocols are not in place.”
In November 2018, Mr Winton’s funeral heard that Limavady had lost a “hero” and a “thoroughly decent human being” with his death.
He had served in the Queen’s Royal Hussars for more than 20 years, retiring in 2010 in the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2.
The 51-year-old was also a member of the Orange Order and the Roe Valley flute band.
Speaking at his funeral service at Christ Church Limavady, Rev Brian Hassan said: “When it seemed John couldn’t fit anything more into his life - family man, Orangeman, bandsman, Liverpool supporter, veteran, worker - amazingly he did.
“His core value of selfless commitment came into play again as he became a retained firefighter in Limavady.
“My words cannot adequately convey what a wonderful, fun-loving, hard-working family man John was.”
Firefighters provided a guard of honour as his remains were brought home.
Mr Winton was described in a family notice as the “loving son of Margaret, stepson of Robin, devoted father of Lisa and Gavin, grandfather of Ciera, Emilia, Bailey, Poppy-Mae, brother of Sheena and Rhona.”