A court has fined Travis Perkins £2 million after part of a timber load fell off one of its lorries and into the windscreen of an oncoming car, tragically killing the driver in May 2020.

The firm admitted three offences contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act and sentence was passed at Hove Crown Court on 23 January.

On 13 May 13 2020, father-of-three Jack Stevens, 28, who was driving a BMW, died when a strip of timber came loose from a Travis Perkins vehicle on the A26 after the lorry left the company's Newhaven depot.

Lewes District Council conducted an investigation, working collaboratively with the Health and Safety Executive, and brought about the prosecution.

The court heard that, despite an internal document stating that "we always properly secure loads before travel", the timber was not banded together and only one ratchet strap was used on the load which did not adequately secure it, and the lashing was insufficient. 

The court was told about several other incidents where building materials had fallen from Travis Perkins lorries. In April 2019, three steel bars hit a vehicle, while months earlier corrugated pipes "blew off the back" of a lorry.

In addition to a £2 million fine, Travis Perkins was ordered to pay £85,000 in costs.

Delivering her verdict, Judge Christine Henson KC said: "This was a tragedy that could and should have been avoided.

"Travis Perkins would have been aware of their health and safety obligations and how they should have been fulfilled. The defendant company failed in this regard."

But the judge also acknowledged "proactive" steps taken by the merchant following the incident to improve safety.

Kate Brunner KC, who represented Travis Perkins made a full apology to the family, which the company says it takes "full responsibility" for.

Brunner stated: "The significant failures, which there were, have been recognised and owned and acted upon by the company in the fullest way possible and that reflects the seriousness the company takes a tragic incident of this kind." 

She explained that the merchant has "driven industry-wide improvements" on work safety and implemented new training as well as a "robust system" with papertrail and using CCTV for spot-checking to ensure load safety measures are followed.

Councillor Christine Robinson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing at Lewes District Council, said: "While we welcome the substantial fine imposed today, it remains an absolute tragedy that Mr Stevens, a much-loved father-of-three, died in this entirely preventable case. Our thoughts remain with his family and friends.

"I hope our prosecution sends a strong message to businesses that it is of the utmost importance they adhere to health and safety legislation to ensure that something like this never happens again. 

"I am grateful for to our officers for their rigorous investigation and professionalism in pursuing this prosecution over a lengthy period, working collaboratively with the Health and Safety Executive."

Travis Perkins said it has "cooperated fully" with the investigation and "accepts the decision of the court", adding: "We strive to ensure an incident like this is never repeated."