The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) began an investigation after an employee of the company was found dead at the Mallusk landfill site in August 2008.

It was not possible to establish the exact circumstances of Mr David Layland’s death but the HSENI investigation found a number of unsafe working practises.

This included unsafe arrangements for the separation of pedestrians and vehicles at the site.

HSENI’s investigating inspector, Mr Kevin Campbell, said: “Proper arrangements must always be in place where large vehicles operate in the vicinity of pedestrians.

“Where vehicles and pedestrians share a traffic route or work area, there must be strictly controlled arrangements to ensure adequate separation at all times.

“This applies to all workplaces and is vital in circumstances where large vehicles operate.”

Biffa was fined £60,000 plus £20,000 costs by Belfast Crown Court after pleading guilty to an unsafe system of work.

Alison Brown

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