Baldwins Crane Hire has lost its vehicle licences after it was found drivers had falsified their records…
Four directors have been disqualified after drivers at Baldwins Crane Hire were found to have falsified records.
The Traffic Commissioner revoked the licences after an investigation into the company found drivers were faking rest breaks.
Traffic Commissioner Kevin Rooney said: “The falsification of records to make it appear that drivers had taken appropriate rest goes absolutely to the heart of road safety.
“In the case of this operator, five out of seven drivers investigated in 2014 were found to be so offending.
“A follow-up investigation in 2015 found the offending, if anything had worsened with eighteen drivers found to be offending.”
The firm was in the spotlight last year after the death of a driver in East Lancashire. In December 2015 Baldwins Crane Hire was found guilty of corporate manslaughter and fined £700,000.
Rooney added: “I do not know if my decision will mean the end of Baldwins Crane Hire limited, but I make my judgement on proportionality on the assumption that it will.
“The failures at Baldwins Crane Hire are so significant so deep-rooted and inspired by the very top of the business that I find it entirely appropriate that this licence be revoked.”
The orders for disqualification of Richard Baldwin, Wayne Baldwin, Andrew Skelton and Lorraine Baldwin will take effect from 10 September—the same day as the company’s two licences will also be revoked.
