Source · Prevention of Future Deaths
Christopher Sparks
Ref: 2020-0249
Date: 24 Nov 2020
Coroner: Caroline Beasley-Murray
Area: Essex
Responses identified: 0 / 2
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The incident resulted from a lack of safe loading and lifting plans, absence of a banksman, inadequate designated safe zones for drivers, and insufficient equipment for handling large products.
Date
24 Nov 2020
56-day deadline
8 Jan 2021
Responses identified
0 of 2
Coroner's concerns
The incident resulted from a lack of safe loading and lifting plans, absence of a banksman, inadequate designated safe zones for drivers, and insufficient equipment for handling large products.
View full coroner's concerns
(1) Ahead of the incident, there was no approved, safe loading and lifting plan in place and agreed between the two firms (2) PCR had not assigned a banksman to supervise the safe loading. Especially in the loading of loads of such weight and size as the balcony frame, there should be a banksman employed (3) There was no clearly marked designated area established where a lorry driver can be visible at all times. The deployment of cones and signage would have assisted.
(4) PCR Steel did not have available, from the design stage onwards, the correct equipment to move safely and load the products they manufacture.
(4) PCR Steel did not have available, from the design stage onwards, the correct equipment to move safely and load the products they manufacture.
Report sections
Investigation and inquest
On [DATE] 4 April 2019 I commenced an investigation into the death of Christopher Sparks aged 47 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 17 November 2020. The conclusion of the inquest was that Christopher Sparks died as a result of an Accident. The medical cause of death was 1a) blunt force trauma to the head.
Circumstances of the death
On 4 April 2019, Mr Sparks, who was employed by SE Galvanisers Ltd, was the driver of a HGV collecting a steel balcony frame from PCR Steel Ltd in Chadwell St Mary. During the loading of the structure the frame fell and struck Mr Sparks who at the time was on the trailer bed.
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Report details
- Reference
- 2020-0249
- Date of report
- 24 November 2020
- Coroner
- Caroline Beasley-Murray
- Coroner area
- Essex
Responses identified
Responses identified
0 of 2
2 responses not yet linked
Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 8 Jan 2021.
Sent to
- PCRSteel Ltd
- SE Galvanisers