UNITE has accused bin lorry manufacturer Terberg of the “worst kind of opportunism” after it emerged that it has been charging councils thousands for a safety upgrade it said would be fitted for free after a worker was crushed to death.

The company was ordered to improve safeguards on thousands of lorries across the country by a coroner after the tragic death in January 2023 of David Carpenter, a 60-year-old Coventry City Council refuse worker and Unite member.

His coat became entangled in the bin lift of a lorry manufactured by British firm Dennis Eagle, and he was dropped into the back of the vehicle as an automatic compaction cycle started.

Terberg, which owns Dennis Eagle, developed a free safety software upgrade but has been demanding councils and refuse companies pay thousands of pounds to have parts swapped out before it is fitted.

Two waste firms and an HGV technician said the parts are identical and do not need to be swapped, according to a BBC report.

Unite national officer for local authorities, Clare Keogh, said: “Unite is clear: councils and refuse companies should be putting the safety of workers above all else, including costs.

“However, Terberg’s extra charges are causing unnecessary delays that are putting lives at risk. Frankly, this seems like the worst kind of opportunism from Terberg.

“Unite has been campaigning for local authorities across the country to fit safety upgrades as quickly as possible.

“Terberg’s totally unacceptable response to a tragedy is preventing this — it must deliver free safety upgrades with no strings attached immediately.”

Terberg said in a statement that its upgrade used “specific components” to work properly, whose parts might look the same as others available from third-party aftermarket suppliers.