W Hesketh and Sons fined £80,000 after Joshua Hardman, 23, died in 2021 when a tire exploded during inflation.
Joshua worked as a farmhand at W Hesketh and Sons. He was assisting Bill Hesketh, a partner in the business, with the tire.
The inner tube exploded during inflation, and the air pressure caused the wheel rim to hit Joshua. His head injuries were very serious, requiring brain and skull surgery.
Sadly, Joshua died on June 11 after his condition worsened following the surgeries. He left behind a daughter named Bonneigh, and the HSE investigated the incident.
The investigation found several safety failures, revealing that W Hesketh and Sons did not properly plan the work and failed to control inflation risks. The tire was also poorly maintained.
The tire, rim, and tube were all damaged, and no one assessed if they were safe to inflate. The company subsequently admitted to breaching safety regulations and was fined £80,000, also paying £8,605 in costs.
Joshua’s family remembers him fondly, saying he was kind and caring. He was a wonderful and amazing dad, and his daughter will miss him dearly.
An HSE inspector commented that the accident was easily avoidable and that employers must assess risks before inflating tires, needing appropriate safety measures.
The jury concluded his head injuries caused his death. They noted the tire was unfit for repair and that Joshua stood too close to the tire.