Jail after man crushed while working under van at garage

A garage owner has been jailed for 10 months after a mechanic was crushed while working underneath a tipper van.

Kenneth McCord, 56, died following the incident on July 16, 2020, at JJ Tyres and Recovery based in Bootle, Merseyside.

Earlier this month, Liverpool Crown Court heard that McCord was assisting in the removal of the flat rear bed of a tipper van – to salvage spare parts – when the hydraulic system of the tipper bed was released without the support arm being in place.

The flatbed then fell and crushed him while he was working underneath it.

Joseph Jones, the owner of JJ Tyres & Recovery, and two other employees managed to get McCord out from under the tipper bed and the chassis of the vehicle. He appeared shaken but was still able to talk and have a drink of water.

Shortly afterwards, however, his condition started to rapidly deteriorate, and an ambulance was called.

He was taken to Aintree hospital where it was found he was suffering from significant internal injuries caused by the crushing. McCord underwent surgery but later died from his injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Jones had no risk assessments, safe systems of work or lifting plan.

The company did not provide staff with adequate training or made them aware of the dangers associated with removing the flat bed from a vehicle.

The investigation also found that if the support arm which props the tipper bed while in the raised position had been in place at the time, this incident would have been avoided.

Jones pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 33(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was jailed for 10 months at Liverpool Crown Court on August 4.

HSE inspector David Bellis said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.

“Companies should be aware that HSE take fatal accidents seriously no matter the size of the company and will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

Nicola McCall, McCord’s partner of more than 20 years, said: “I feel like this was a terrible accident that could have so easily been avoided.”

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has guidance available on working under vehicles.