Firm fined £400,000 over dumper double death

A coal producer has been fined a total of £400,000 after two men were crushed by a 100t dumper truck.

Colin Fergusson and Brian French were killed at Scottish Coal Company's Pennyvennie site in Dalmellington, East Ayrshire on 26 February 2007 when the vehicle they were in was crushed by the truck.

The firm was fined £400,000 after pleading guilty to section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Norrie Buchanan said: "Earth-moving vehicles such as dump trucks or bulldozers have poor visual fields due to their large size. It is crucial that additional steps are taken to ensure that the drivers of these dump trucks are aware of other smaller vehicles around them."

"Control measures to reduce risk are easily available at a minimal cost. Installing an additional camera on the side of the dump truck, fitting a raised roof beacon or other means of improving visibility on the Landrover could prevent similar accidents in the future."