Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2023

David Lyth

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2023-0233, written 7 Jul 2023. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report7 Jul 2023
Reference2023-0233
DeceasedDavid Lyth
CoronerCharlotte Keighley
Coroner areaCheshire
CategoryAccident at Work and Health and Safety related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses published2

The report

Text extracted from the PDF text layer. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

Regulation 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

NOTE:  This form is to be used after an inquest. 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1  3D Trans 
2  Health and Safety Executive 

1  CORONER 

I am Charlotte KEIGHLEY, Assistant Coroner for the coroner area of Cheshire 

2  CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS 

I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 
and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. 

3 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

On 10 December 2021 I commenced an investigation into the death of David Alan LYTH 
aged 45.  The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 27 June 2023.  The 
conclusion of the inquest was that: 

On 30 November 2021 at 3D Trans Shell Green Industrial Estate, Widnes, David Alan Lyth 
became trapped between two trailers resulting in asphyxia. 

From the evidence presented the rollaway could only have occurred from neither the unit 
and the trailer brake not being applied. 

4  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

On the 30th November 2021 David Lyth had been working for 3D Trans Limited through a 
driving agency. That day he had complained of an issue with the air cables on his trailer 
and had been advised to collect a new trailer from the 3D Trans Limited yard. As he 
coupled up to a new trailer, the trailer started to roll back and he put his arms out to stop it 
and became trapped between two HGV trailers. When he was found, he was unresponsive 
and was taken to Whiston Hospital where his death was confirmed. 

5  CORONER’S CONCERNS 

During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern. 
In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.  In the 
circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. 

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows: 
(brief summary of matters of concern) 

(1) 
involving drivers working for 3D Trans Ltd:-

I received evidence that since 2020, there have been four rollaway incidents 

An incident causing damage to a fence between the 17th September 2020 and the 

a. 
9th October 2020; 
b. 
c. 
d. 

An incident leading to the death of Mr Lyth on the 30th November 2021; 
An incident on the 15th November 2022; 
An incident on the 12th June 2023. 

Regulation 28 – After Inquest 
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021 

 I acknowledge that these incidents involve different circumstances and that only one 
resulted in a fatality. 

(2) 
I received evidence that following each of the incidents, refresher training was 
provided and various measures were put in place at the yard to physically prevent the 
vehicles or trailers rolling away.  In addition to this, signage has been placed on the tractor 
and trailer units to serve as a reminder to drivers of the importance of securing the parking 
brakes on the tractor and trailer units.  I have concerns regarding the provision of regular 
and periodic training for all drivers in respect of coupling and uncoupling procedures. 

6  ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you (and/or 
your organisation) have the power to take such action. 

7  YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, 
namely by September 01, 2023.  I, the coroner, may extend the period. 

Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the 
timetable for action.  Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed. 

8  COPIES and PUBLICATION 

I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested 
Persons 

3D Trans 

I have also sent it to 

who may find it useful or of interest. 

I am also under a duty to send a copy of your response to the Chief Coroner and all 
interested persons who in my opinion should receive it. 

I may also send a copy of your response to any person who I believe may find it useful or 
of interest. 

The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form. 
He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of 
interest. 

You may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your response about the 
release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner. 

9  Dated: 07/07/2023 

Regulation 28 – After Inquest 
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021 

 
 
 Charlotte KEIGHLEY 
Assistant Coroner for 
Cheshire 

Regulation 28 – After Inquest 
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021

Responses

2 responses published against this report on judiciary.uk. A response is a body's written reply to the coroner's concerns; publication is at the discretion of the Chief Coroner's office, so an absent response does not mean nobody replied.

Response from 3d Trans (PDF)
TRAINS

HM Assistant Coraner for Chesnire

Charlotte Ketghley

13-07-2023

Dear Coroner
Re. Resulation 28 Report to Prevent Deaths

We write with reference to your Regulation 28 report which was issued to 3D Trans Limited
in connection with the death of Mr David Lyth on 30 November 2021

We can confirm that the company has naw strengthened its training programme to ensure
that all drivers receive quarterly refresher training against the company 5 coupling and
uncoupling procedure, to include reviewing the written procedures, watching a video and
completing a test to confirm their understanding. These records will be retained by the
company fora minimum of two years

We trust that this amendment is sufficient to satisfy the report Issued, but please do not
hesitate to contact us should you require any additional information.

Kindest Regards.

Director Director

3D Trans Limited, Thompson Building, Shell Green Ind. Estate, Widnes WAS OFZ
Company Reg: 9397135 VAT: 221-944-128

ES Idtranalimited ¢o uk
Response from Hse (PDF)
Health and Safety 

   Executive 

FOD Ops Unit 1-3 

FOD Ops Unit 2 Group 7 
Bootle - Redgrave Court 
BLK 1 FLR G 
Merton Road 
Bootle 
MER 
L20 7HS 

Tel: 
Fax:  

http://www.hse.gov.uk/ 

Head of Operations 

Ms Charlotte Keighley 
HM Assistant Coroner 
Cheshire 
By E mail to 

Reference 

Date 22 September 2023 

Dear HM Coroner Keighley 

Preven(cid:415)on of Future Deaths Report - A(cid:332)er Inquest LYTH D A 30112021 

Thank you for your letter and Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths issued following the inquest 
into the death of David Lyth. 

You asked the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to consider your concerns regarding the provision of 
regular and periodic training for all drivers in respect of coupling and uncoupling procedures. 

It may be helpful to provide some background: the general duty under the Health and Safety at Work 
etc. Act 1974 is to ensure employees health, safety and welfare at work. This legislation is not 
prescriptive but is goal setting. It is for the employer to consider the risks specific to their business and 
then take appropriate steps to control those risks. 

To assist employers with that process, HSE produces extensive free guidance on managing risk, some 
of which is industry specific. For example, HSE worked closely with the haulage industry and other 
regulators to investigate the reasons for unintended vehicle movement and subsequently produced 
specific guidance in 2013, please see safe-coupling-guide.pdf. This guidance provides practical advice 
for employers to help them manage the risks of coupling and uncoupling articulated vehicles.  

HSE produced further guidance on transport safety in 2014; this guidance is aimed at all industries and 
also provides practical measures for coupling and uncoupling, please see Workplace transport safety - 
A guide to workplace transport safety (hse.gov.uk) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 As part of their consideration of risk in the business, employers should identify suitable risk controls and 
provide appropriate training and information to their employees to enable them to carry out their jobs 
safely, as well as an appropriate level of supervision/review to ensure that processes are followed 
consistently and that any issues are quickly identified and resolved. It is, for this reason, the employer’s 
responsibility to decide on the intervals for any refresher training. Whatever system the employer 
chooses to implement to manage risk, they should review it regularly to make sure it is up to date and 
still relevant. 

HSE continues to work closely with the industry in this area and we will engage with key stakeholders to 
remind them of the need to manage risk when coupling and uncoupling articulated vehicles. 

In relation to 3D Trans Ltd, HSE has conducted a further Inspection of the company since the inquest, 
and we are satisfied with the measures the company have put in place regarding training and 
monitoring and supervision for their drivers in respect of safe coupling and uncoupling procedures. 

Yours Sincerely 

HM Principal Inspector of Health and Safety 

2

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