A chemical logistics company has been ordered to pay a six-figure fine after a court found safety shortcomings led to the death of a long-serving warehouse supervisor at its South Bank site in Middlesbrough.
Judge brands death "preventable" after ramp collapse
Teesside Crown Court heard that Peter Hutchinson, 60, sustained fatal head injuries after falling from a mobile loading ramp on 4 November 2021 while helping to load plastic waste bales into a shipping container at the Bertschi UK premises. He was taken to hospital but died on 23 November.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had not adequately assessed the risks involved in the loading operation and failed to take sufficient steps to protect staff who accessed the ramp on foot. Inspectors said workers were permitted to use the ramp without handrails, despite the manufacturer advising that pedestrians should not use the equipment unless handrails were fitted.
"My husband Peter was the family man and everything we did revolved around him. Everyone is struggling to come to terms with their dad, uncle and friend not being here. He did so much for so many people."
The statement from Mr Hutchinson’s wife, released through the HSE, described the scale of loss felt by family members and friends. She said Peter was her "always and forever" and that the family were trying to come to terms with the tragedy.
HSE finds safer options were not considered
HSE inspectors also noted the company did not explore safer alternatives which could have removed the need for staff to work at height, such as using existing loading bays or placing containers on the ground prior to loading. Following a trial earlier in 2026, Bertschi UK Limited was convicted of breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and two offences under the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
- Fine imposed: £425,000
- Costs ordered: £119,258
- Incident date: 4 November 2021
- Date of death: 23 November 2021
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Company | Bertschi UK Limited |
| Location | South Bank, Middlesbrough |
| Court | Teesside Crown Court |
| Legal breaches | Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974; Work at Height Regulations 2005 |
The sentence reflects the court’s finding that the fatality could have been avoided if reasonable precautions had been taken. The verdict and penalty are likely to prompt renewed scrutiny of loading operations across the industry, particularly where mobile ramps are used to bridge ground to container entrances.
Local employers, safety officers and trade unions will watch closely for the HSE’s guidance and for any follow-up action to ensure similar lapses do not occur elsewhere in Teesside. The case underlines the importance of risk assessments that consider alternatives to working at height and the need to follow manufacturer guidance on equipment intended for pedestrian use.
Families affected by workplace tragedies often seek reassurance that lessons have been learned and that adequate measures are introduced to prevent repeat incidents. This prosecution, and the size of the penalty, is a reminder that companies must prioritise practical controls and training where staff might be exposed to falls or moving machinery.
