Newport City Council fined £2million after death of much loved family man

A hardworking family man was killed while carrying out road repair works, resulting in Newport Council being Fined.

Stephen Bell was barrowing tarmac from the back of the tipper lorry, when struck by a farm vehicle passing by.

The 57-year-old’s wife Jenny said how the events of 18 July 2019 had changed their family’s life forever.

 A much loved husband, father and grandfather

“Words can’t express the pain my family and I felt when we heard the news. Losing him so suddenly has taken its toll on us all and has left us all heart broken,” she said.

“Stephen was a kind, caring and a hardworking man who loved his family very much. He had a smile that lit up the room, an amazing sense of humour and laughter that was contagious.

In the years since he’s been gone my family and I have missed so much. I have been unable to share family holidays as well as other occasions as a very special person is missing.

Recently, our youngest daughter got married, and didn’t have her father to walk her down the aisle.”

Resurfacing Repairs

Cardiff Crown Court heard how Mr Bell and colleagues were carrying out resurfacing repairs  at the time of the incident.  A Newport City Council team leader and the four highway operatives were working on foot and authorised to be on the site.

An investigation found that the council did not take all reasonably practicable steps to organise a safe working environment.  A suitable and sufficient safety zone should have been in place, resulting in this avoidable accident.

Mrs Bell added: “Since losing Stephen, my daughters have been a pillar of strength to me and I wouldn’t have made it through these dark days without them.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our family and friends for their continued support and to thank HSE for their thorough investigation and for their support over the last four and half years.

Nothing will bring my husband back and no matter what justice takes place, it will never be enough to compensate my family and I for what we have all lost.”

Prosecution and Penalty

Newport City Council, pleaded guilty to breaching  the Health and Safety at Work and is fined £2million and ordered to pay costs of £9,780.

HSE inspector Philip Nicolle said: “The council’s failures have had a devastating impact on Stephen Bell’s family.

This tragic incident could so easily have been avoided if the council had simply carried out correct control measures and safe working practices.

Therefore, we will not hesitate to take action against those that fall below the required standards.

Our thoughts remain with Mrs Bell and those who knew and loved Stephen.”

TIP: Visit https://www.hse.gov.uk/woodworking/ripsaw.htm for HSE introduction to woodcutting machines, including information sheets on the Circular Bench Saw. 

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