FDS Waste Services fined £640,000 for the death of an employee

FDS Waste Services has been fined £640,000 and its director Philip Pidgley has been handed a suspended prison sentence. 

Yamal Ameggaron Mohamed, aged 39, was killed at FDS Waste Services in Mannings Heath Road December 13, 2018, when he was hit by a shovel loader while sorting recycling materials in the yard. 

FDS Waste was convicted of corporate manslaughter on December 22 last year following a three-week trial at Winchester Crown Court. 

Pidgley, the 58-year-old director, and the company were also found guilty of failing to discharge their duty to ensure the safety of Mr Mohamed at work.  

The waste firm was further convicted of failing to ensure the safety of a second worker who was injured after he became trapped in a large mechanical conveyor while investigating a blockage in June 2020. Pidgley was acquitted of that charge by the jury. 

Read more: FDS Waste Services Ltd charged with corporate manslaughter

Following a joint investigation by Dorset Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the prosecution was able to prove the company had failed to put in place sufficient working practices to safeguard its employees. 

An Ambulance and a Dorset Police forensics officer at Ling Road at Mannings Heath Road (Image: Daily Echo)

There was no physical segregation between vehicles and pedestrians of any type and no safe system excluding pedestrians from areas where vehicles were operating – and vice versa. 

The management of the site was described as “lax and complacent” and had led to unsafe working practices at the company’s base. 

Pidgley was today sentenced to six months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, at Winchester Crown Court while FDS Waste was fined a total of £640,000 and ordered to pay £60,000 in costs.  

Rosemary Ainslie, head of Special Crime at the CPS, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr Mohamed following this avoidable tragedy. 

“Companies have a duty of care to their employees and FDS Waste Services fell well short of the standards expected.  

“A man lost his life because safe working practices were not implemented, and risks were not assessed or managed properly.” 

Berenice Ray, HSE inspector, said both incidents could have been avoided “had well-established health and safety measures been in place”. 

She added: “Those in control of work must ensure that their workplace is organised in such a way that pedestrians and vehicles can circulate in a safe manner.”