Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Olegs Sulaimonovs

Ref: 2014-0375 Date: 14 Aug 2014 Coroner: Margaret Jones Area: Staffordshire (South) Responses identified: 1 / 4 View PDF

Road safety was severely compromised by a lack of footpaths, suitable lighting, and speed restrictions in a populated area. Additionally, there was inadequate information and encouragement for reflective clothing among the migrant population.

Date 14 Aug 2014

56-day deadline 9 Oct 2014 est.

Responses identified 1 of 4

Road (Highways Safety) related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

View full coroner's concerns

1. The lack of information given to the migrant population temporally resident in the area with regard to the nature of the road.
2. The lack of supply/encouragement to wear reflective clothing.
3. The absence of a footpath and suitable lighting.
4. The lack of speed restrictions in an apparently highly populated area.

Responses

1 respondent

T.W. Busby Son

PDF

Action Planned

The employer will supply reflective vests to staff and recommend their use at night when walking on the A518, including this information in the induction process for 2015. (AI summary)

View full response

Dear Madam; Re: Olegs Sulaimonovs (Deceased) Regarding the above; preventative measures to be taken to restrict the amount of future deaths taking in to account of Sulaimonovs killed on 6uh March 2014. As a employer itis our duty of care of our staff during working hours but as you can appreciate we cannot enforce restrictions on their movements during non- working hours or after a work shift this is against their rights of movement and freedom to and enjoy their stay at our farm But we will make available the supply of reflective vests in their accommodation ad part of our terms of employment and will be recommended to wear them at night in walking on the A518 and include this in our induction, recruitment process going forward for 2015 as all our seasonal staff are departing now: To note, you stated lack of information provided on the area with regard to the nature of the road. we always induct our staff on the use of public transport ad avoid walking the A518 road due to the speed of traffic. As resident (TW Busby & Son) current drivers we have found driving along this A518 and the amount fatalities vehicles drive fast along the A518 and WARNING signs would be appreciated for Pedestrians crossing between Billington Ring Bank as there are home owners either side of these banks Lastly, translated documentation proved by the is for drivers but not for pedestrians this is not relevant to a lot of farms as most staff due not have cars but dependent on transport we supply Olegs : live they and and Bury and police and

the transport: So further documentation would be appreciated by the Community Police ad we will address accordingly: Thank you,

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 13 March 2014 I commenced an investigation into the death of OLEGS SULAIMONOVS, 34 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 14 August 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was as a result of an accident having sustained a fracture of first cervical vertebra.

Circumstances of the death

The deceased was a Latvian National who had travelled to the UK on 6th March 2014 to work on a Fruit farm situated on the A518 and known as Dearsden Farm, Billington Bank, Stafford. During the season this and other neighbouring farms house an estimated 2000 migrant workers accommodated in caravans. The farms are situated some miles outside of Stafford Town Centre on a very dark unlit single carriageway A road which is subject to a 60mph speed limit. For the majority there is no footpath and public transport is very limited at night. Police have received a number of complaints about pedestrians walking in the road which is particular hazardous during the hours of darkness. At around 01.10hrs on the 9 March 2014 the deceased was walking in the carriageway towards Stafford. He was wearing dark clothing and was struck from behind by a vehicle travelling in the same direction. The deceased had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol. The Police evidence was that this is a dangerous stretch of road. They had previously produced road safety leaflets to be distributed to migrant workers which had been printed in various languages but the circulation was limited and that the migrant workers would benefit from advice as to the dangerous nature of that road and encouragement to wear reflective clothing. It was probably unrealistic to expect the local authority to provide a footpath and lighting but they should be made aware of the problem.

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Report details

Reference: 2014-0375
Date of report: 14 August 2014
Coroner: Margaret Jones
Coroner area: Staffordshire (South)

Responses identified

Responses identified 1 of 4

3 responses not yet linked

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 9 Oct 2014 (estimated).

Sent to

Billington Farm

Staffordshire County Council

Staffordshire Police

The Chief Coroner

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.