A waste collection firm has been fined nearly quarter-of-a-million pounds after a beloved dad-of-four from Enfield was killed in a crash with litter-picking vans.
Tony Skerratt, 44, was in the passenger seat of a Wren Kitchens lorry when it ploughed into the vans as they blocked a lane on the A11 near Attleborough, between Norwich and Thetford.
An investigation by independent regulator the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has since discovered failings by waste contractor Serco, which left both staff and members of the public at “significant” risk.
Serco had been contracted by Breckland District Council to carry out the litterpick on the dual-carriageway on the afternoon of February 26, 2019.
While staff collected rubbish from the roadside Serco vans had been moving slowly along the inside lane, periodically stopping to allow bags of rubbish to be collected, when the lorry Mr Skerratt was in crashed into them. He died of his injuries.
A damning HSE investigation found Serco had not given its employees “appropriate” instructions, or supervised and monitored the “high-risk” litter pick to ensure it was carried out safely on the high-speed road.
Mr Skerratt’s family said in a statement: “The pain the family feels is as tender as the day we heard the worst possible news imaginable.
“The court case has been ongoing for so long, the wounds are unable to heal until justice is served. Tony was the youngest of four children and the only son to mum and dad. They grieve for the loss of their son. The pain of losing a child is something you can never recover from.
“It wasn’t Tony’s time to go, otherwise we would have had the chance to say goodbye.”
Serco Limited has now pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £240,000 and ordered to pay costs of £37,074, at Norwich Crown Court on Friday.
HSE Inspector Saffron Turnell said: “This was a tragic incident where the death of a member of the public could have easily been prevented had Serco Ltd implemented and monitored the robust management systems required to ensure such a high-risk activity could be carried out safely.
“The company’s failings put its employees and those using the dual carriageway at significant risk and this incident has left a family grieving the loss of much loved son, brother and uncle. Our thoughts remain with the family.”
Serco says it has taken steps to help prevent similar tragedies.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the late Mr Tony Skerratt,” said a spokesperson.
“As the judge made clear, Serco co-operated fully with the Health and Safety Executive, has a good health and safety record and a strong health and safety culture. Serco gives health and safety the highest priority throughout the business and we have implemented actions that are aimed at ensuring that such an accident will not happen again.”
