Investigation and inquest
On 6th June 2014 an Investigation was commenced into the death of Matthew Luke Fulleylove, aged 30. The Investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on 26th April 2018. The conclusion of the Inquest was that Mr Fulleylove died from a head injury (1). A Narrative Conclusion was returned by the Jury.
Circumstances of the death
On 5th June 2014 Mr Fulleylove sustained a fatal injury when his head became trapped as two heavy industrial machines passed on adjacent rail tracks during the production of large concrete beams at the premises of Treanor Pujol Ltd, Pontefract Road, Leeds.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) A Witness at the Inquest expressed concern about the safety of operatives who have only a restricted space in which to work in the vicinity of metal support legs at the side of track 12 in the factory. As heavy railed machines with rotating industrial saws are operating in close proximity concerns were raised as to the risk of fatal injuries being sustained due to the limited space available.
(2) A Witness told the Inquest that heavy industrial machines of the type involved in this fatality do still pass each other on tracks 11 and 12 despite criticisms voiced by an Expert Engineer in relation to the small gap between them coupled with the fact that some of the remedial safety measures advocated by the Expert Engineer have not been implemented. In fairness, it recognised that a Director of Treanor Pujol Limited did attempt to explain that the incidence of ‘machinery passes’ is now much reduced and some protective measures have been implemented, together with greater levels of suspension and training. Nonetheless, concern remains that any relaxation in the stringent system of work advocated by the Expert Engineer may give rise to a repetition of the circumstances which brought about the fatality on 05/06/2014.