Arriva and cleaning firm fined after worker killed at Hemel Hempstead bus depot
25-year-old Albin Trstena, from Tottenham, was struck by a reversing bus while on cleaning duties
A national bus company and a commercial cleaning firm have been fined following the death of a 25-year-old man at a depot in Hemel Hempstead.
Albin Trstena, from Tottenham, was working for Cordant Cleaning Limited, now known as C.L.C Realisations Limited, when he was struck by a reversing bus driven by a colleague on November 5, 2019, at Arriva's Hemel Hempstead bus depot.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that Arriva failed to assess the risk of vehicle-pedestrian conflict adequately. Additionally, both Arriva and C.L.C Realisations Limited failed to implement an effective system of work to control this risk. Insufficient measures were in place to protect pedestrians from moving vehicles around the depot and to ensure the proper utilization of walkways within the yard's perimeter.
In a statement at St Albans Magistrates’ Court, Albin’s sister Albina expressed the devastating impact of his death on their family, stating, “When we received the news Albin had died, we were left devastated and our whole world came crashing down around us. His presence at home was so alive. Albin would always do lots for the family, but not just for the family, he gave of himself and would always help other people where he could. He was a brother and son to be proud of.”
C.L.C Realisations Limited, located in Wellington Street, Leeds (currently in administration), offered no plea but was found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and fined a nominal £1,000.
Arriva Kent Thameside Limited, based in Doxford International Business Park, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined £32,000 and ordered to pay costs of £22,392.
HSE inspector Roxanne Barker commented on the tragic incident, stating, “This tragic incident led to the avoidable death of a much loved young man. There was a failure to undertake safety measures to segregate vehicles and pedestrians. They also failed to properly consider who was responsible for determining and implementing suitable measures to ensure safe working practices when contracting out some of the activities performed within a shared workplace.”