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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is considering "further action" after an inquest found safety failings contributed to the death of a "brilliant" forklift driver.

Middlesbrough's Gary Lee James was employed by Ward Brothers, in South Bank, when he became pinned down by framework in a shipping container on January 8, 2019. The employee, who lived

on Ida Road, suffered a brain injury in the incident, and despite care, never recovered passing away two days later at James Cook University Hospital. An inquest was held at Teesside

Coroner's Court, in Middlesbrough, last week looking into the circumstances surrounding Mr James' death. The jury found safety failings contributed to his passing and recorded a

narrative conclusion saying: "Gary died at James Cook University Hospital from injuries sustained in being trapped by metal frames at Ward Bros on January 8, 2019." The HSE has now

confirmed the case is being reviewed. A spokesman told Teesside Live: "Following the inquest, we are reviewing our case and considering if any further action should be taken.” Teesside

Live previously reported the 30-year-old's death was contributed to by the following: * There was not appropriate risk assessment and safe working practices and procedures in place

prior to the commencements of devanning the welded containers. * Ward Bros had not considered the potential hazards in removing, transporting and sorting the welded frames in advance of the

first frames being dismantled on December 19, 2018. * The logistics of storing 20 horizontally stacked frames had not been fully considered and assessed. * Gary had not received adequate and

appropriate training in the devanning role. * There was not sufficient and appropriate supervision of Gary and his colleagues whilst the devanning of welded containers was undertaken. * No

consideration was given to the vertical frames being secured in the container. * The six standing frames were not secured on December 21, 2018, and subsequently became loose before the

container was checked on August 1, 2019. * Employees did express concerns to Ward Bros about safety of the devanning process and such concerns were not listened to and acted upon. * The

general attitude in Ward Bros was one of getting a task completed in spite of health and safety concerns and risks. * Gary thought he was acting in line with earlier Ward Bros directions in

trying to stand the frames on the morning of January 8, 2019. * On January 8, 2019, it was not safe for Gary and a colleague to move the six frames by themselves and in relative darkness. *

The methods employed by Gary and a colleague to move and stand the frames on January 8, 2019, were not safe. * Gary and a colleague were not appropriately and adequately supervised on

January 8, 2019. Last week, the inquest heard documentary evidence from the firm's former transport manager who said Mr James had been employed at the company from October 2018 - just

three months prior to his death. She said he had several duties including warehouse work, second manning when required and forklift work. In a statement, the former boss said in December

2018 Ward Brothers secured a shipping contract for Asda which saw goods being moved from China to Teesport. He said Ward Brothers transported the full containers from Teesport to Asda

warehouses and then went to collect the empty containers. The inquest heard during the morning of January 8, Mr James was inside a container at the depot and had become trapped under metal

railings/framework weighing approximately 150kg. 'GARY WAS A BRILLIANT WORKER' A statement from the former manager states: "At 7.15am I got a call on my mobile. It was a work

call asking if I could come in early and saying that there'd been an accident and Gary had got trapped. At 7.27am I was on my way when I got another call to say he was in cardiac

arrest, his next of kin needed contacting and he was trapped by the neck." At the time of the incident, Ward Brothers said it would provide "support necessary" to Mr

James' family. The business said: “Regrettably, a member of staff at Ward Brothers was seriously injured in an incident at our depot on Tuesday and is now in hospital. Our thoughts are

with the person’s family at this difficult time and we will provide them with any support necessary. We will co-operate with the authorities as part of any investigation. No further

statement will be given at this time.” JOIN TEESSIDE LIVE'S WHATSAPP COMMUNITY FOR TOP STORIES AND BREAKING NEWS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE Teesside Live is now on WhatsApp and we want

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