Wholesaler fined £500000 for gate death of delivery driver

Ronald Hayward, 42, died in 2011 when he was pinned under a 660lb (300kg) steel gate that collapsed at the Blakemore Wholesale store in the city.

The Merthyr Tydfil driver was making early morning deliveries from a bakery. At Cardiff Crown Court, AF Blakemore and Son Limited admitted criminal health and safety breaches. As well as the £500,000 fine the firm was ordered to pay costs of £108,625.80 within a 28-day period.

“Our thoughts are with Mr Hayward's family who lost a much-loved husband and father almost 5 years ago,” said Newport council cabinet member, Bob Poole. The council brought the prosecution against the company, following a joint investigation with Gwent Police. “Mr Hayward lost his life in an avoidable incident while he was carrying out his job. I hope this case reminds businesses that they have a duty to ensure their premises are safe places for both employees and visitors.”

The delivery driver had been working for the Cynon Valley firm Garth Bakery when the incident happened on his first delivery job of the day. He arrived at the site at about 4am and unlocked the entrance gate. But as he was preparing to leave the gate broke when a metal-fatigued bolt failed, and landed on him. A resident raised the alarm after hearing screaming, and despite emergency services arriving swiftly on the scene, Mr Hayward died of traumatic asphyxia. The company admitted failing to ensure that the gates and gateposts were maintained and were in working order.