A chemical logistics company has been fined £425,000 after warehouse supervisor Peter Hutchinson, 60, suffered fatal injuries following a fall from a mobile loading ramp at a site in Middlesbrough. On 4 November 2021, Mr Hutchinson was assisting with loading plastic waste bales into a shipping container when a bale slipped from a forklift truck. As he stepped back, he fell approximately 1.5 metres onto a concrete surface below. He later died in hospital on 23 November 2021. [hsmsearch.com], [press.hse.gov.uk]
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Bertschi UK Limited failed to properly assess the risks associated with the loading operation and allowed employees to use the loading ramp without handrails, despite the manufacturer’s instructions stating that pedestrians should not use the ramp unless handrails were fitted. Investigators also found the company had not adequately considered safer alternatives that could have eliminated the need for work at height. [hsmsearch.com], [press.hse.gov.uk]
Following a trial, Bertschi UK Limited was found guilty of breaching health and safety legislation and was fined £425,000, with costs of £119,258, at Teesside Crown Court in July 2026. [hsmsearch.com], [press.hse.gov.uk]
HSE Inspector Cain Mitchell said the incident was “entirely preventable” and highlighted the importance of properly planning work at height and implementing appropriate fall-prevention measures. [hsmsearch.com], [press.hse.gov.uk]
