Worker Jailed and Biomass Firm Fined £120,000 After Fatal Telehandler Incident
Published on 07/08/2026 at 21:31 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A biomass company in Northern Ireland has been fined £120,000 and a worker sentenced to more than three years in prison following the death of a colleague who was struck twice by a telehandler at a facility in Newry. The case, which concluded on July 8, 2026, has been described by safety regulators as an entirely preventable tragedy that highlights the critical importance of maintaining safe working practices on industrial sites.
Catastrophic Error of Judgment
Walter Manley, 53, appeared at Newry Crown Court for sentencing in connection with the death of his colleague Ian McCollum, 52, on January 24, 2022, at the McKinstry Biomass Ltd facility. Manley received a sentence of three years and four months for manslaughter, with an additional 12-month concurrent sentence for health and safety breaches. Under the terms of the sentence, he will serve half of the time in custody and the remainder on licence.
The court heard that McCollum was struck twice by a telehandler operated by Manley. The presiding judge characterised the incident as a catastrophic error of judgment, noting that the operator had continued to drive despite having an obstructed view.
The tragic incidents in this article are a stark reminder of what happens when health and safety procedures are not properly managed. Many UK companies risk severe fines simply because the right documentation is not in place. A free Health & Safety Toolkit provides ready-to-use risk assessments, checklists and toolbox talks covering key UK regulations. Get your free Health & Safety Toolkit
McKinstry Biomass Ltd was fined £120,000 for its role in the accident. Officials from the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) said the death was entirely preventable, citing failures in maintaining safe working practices. Representatives for the victim's family expressed continued devastation, stating that the loss of their relative would make the future difficult to navigate.
Separate Fine for Scissor Lift Fatality
In a separate legal resolution earlier that week, Food Process Engineering Ltd was fined £50,000 on July 6, 2026, following the death of a worker in Renfrew. The case involved Steven Tervit, 32, who died in November 2022 after falling from a scissor lift during the dismantling of a cleanroom.
The Health and Safety Executive found that the company had failed to conduct an adequate risk assessment for the project. In addition to the fine, the company was ordered to pay a £3,750 surcharge after pleading guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.
The scissor lift fatality was directly linked to a failure to conduct an adequate risk assessment. Without proper documentation, both lives and businesses remain exposed. A free Risk Assessment Toolkit offers 41 ready-to-use templates and checklists to help you identify hazards and stay compliant with UK law. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
Mechanical Failure Halts Waste Facility
Safety and infrastructure issues have also led to operational pauses at other facilities. Hills Waste Solutions announced the temporary closure of its Mechanical Biological Treatment facility in Westbury, Wiltshire, on July 8, 2026.
The shutdown followed the mechanical failure of an internal crane. The company indicated that repairs are expected to take approximately two weeks, during which time waste will be diverted to a landfill near Calne. The Environment Agency is reportedly monitoring the site during the repair period.
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