Paul Littlewood · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 8th July 2014 I commenced an investigation into the death of Paul Littlewood, aged 48. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 11th May 2015. The conclusion of the inquest was that Mr Littlewood died of head injuries incurred when he fell from the gantry of a Le Gras trailer. The jury was unclear how he came to fall.

Whilst unsheeting a walking floor trailer manufactured by LeGras, Mr Littlewood, who was described as a very safety conscious man, fell from the gantry at the front of the trailer, sustaining head injuries from which he sadly died the following day. Evidence was given that in all material respects, the design of LeGras and Stas gantries is identical.

(1) The fixed barrier at the centre of the gantry was 1 metre in height, and there was no intermediate crossbar, leaving a gap of 1 metre, through which it would be quite easy to fall.
(2) There was no toe-plate to delineate the edge of the platform
(3) The gantry was accessible by means of a fixed ladder. At the top of the ladder, fall protection is provided by a single cable which is set at a height well below 1 metre. It provides a pivot for a fall, rather than fall prevention.
(4) In my opinion, both the fixed barrier and the fall protection at the top of the access ladder should be set at a safer height. Reference to the Working at Height Regulations 2005 may well provide helpful guidance.
(5) Consideration should be given to a self-closing mechanism for any barrier that is fitted at the top of the access ladder.
(6) Consideration should also be given to the installation of a falls arrest system which can be attached at ground level. R Plevin and Sons Ltd have indicated that since Mr Littlewood’s death, they have retro-fitted a system that they consider suitable at a cost in the region of £500.00 per trailer.