The driver of a bin lorry which ploughed into Christmas shoppers in Glasgow has returned to work, an inquiry has heard.

Harry Clarke was behind the wheel of the lorry passed out and it veered out of control, mounting the pavement and killing six people days before Christmas.

Mr Clarke, who faced no criminal charges after the crash, is back working at Glasgow City Council’s Shieldhall depot but hasn’t resumed driving duties, the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the crash heard.

Mr Clarke’s acting supervisor on the day of the crash, Alan Kernaghan, gave evidence at the inquiry yesterday and said: “He is working inside the depot at Shieldhall.” Ronald Conway, representing the family of crash victim Stephenie Tait, put to him: “You may hear that Mr Clarke had his LGV licence restored in April 2015.” Mr Kernaghan replied: “I don’t know.” Mr Kernaghan, 37, told the inquiry that he met Mr Clarke at 6.30am on the morning of the crash at the Shieldhall depot.

He said part of his role was to speak to drivers, including Mr Clarke, to judge if they appeared fit to carry out their duties before the lorry keys were handed out.

He said: “The main thing I am looking for is that they are steady on their feet – that they haven’t got glazed eyes.” Solicitor General, Lesley Thomson QC asked: “Are you looking to see if anyone has been drinking?” Mr Kernaghan replied: “We look for that.” He added: “If they look their normal self that is good enough for me.” If he had any concerns about a driver the would ‘not issue keys, ask them to take a seat in the canteen and speak to a manager’, Mr Kernaghan said.

He added that he and Mr Clarke – who he described as a ‘lovely old guy’ – had a ‘normal chat’ on that morning.

He said: “There was a bit of teasing on both parts then he took his keys. He was his normal, happy self.” Mr Kernaghan said Mr Clarke appeared well and made no mention of any health problems.

The inquiry heard from another driver, Ian Quigley, who had lunch with Mr Clarke at Sheildhall, just hours before the crash.

Mr Quigley, 46, said: “I remember Harry had a Pot Noodle and a packet of crisps or a biscuit.” He said Mr Clarke did not say he was felling unwell.

He found out later in the day about the crash and was “shocked”.

The inquiry heard following the crash there have been changes to the way bin lorries operate in the city centre. Smaller vehicles, rather than the larger ones like the one driven by Mr Clarke, now operate on pedestrian precincts.

Mr Quigley and Mr Kernaghan were both asked if they would report health issues which might affect their ability to drive to the DVLA, who issue LGV driving licences, and said they would.

Mr Kernaghan said: “It is the right thing to do.” Cross examining, Dorothy Bain QC, who is acting for the family of crash victim Jacqueline Morton, said: “Is this because you would be putting your life at risk and the lives of the public?” “Yes,” replied Mr Kernaghan.

Miss Bain added: “Is it the right thing to do, not just for you but for the people who walk the streets of Glasgow?” Mr Kernaghan said: “Yes.” Mark Stewart QC, representing the family of victims Jack and Lorraine Sweeney and Erin McQuade, asked if there was ever any “temptation” not to report health conditions as it may lead to loss of livelihood.

Mr Kernaghan said: “Not for me. I can’t speak for anyone else.” Mr Quigley was asked whether he thought pulling the handbrake in a moving lorry would stop it.

He said he wouldn’t like to do this as it could “go into a skid”.

Mr Stewart asked: “Have you had any training in relation to the risks that a 26-metric-tonne bin lorry might pose to the public in the streets of Glasgow?” He replied: “No.” Mr Stewart said: “You said the pulling the handbrake might lead to skidding. We are talking about a bin lorry being propelled forward, being driven by an incapacitated driver, mounting the pavement, going faster slower, faster slower, colliding with traffic signs and pedestrians until it came to a stop by hitting a building.” Mr Stewart added that pulling the hand-brake “might not save the first or second person” but it might save those thereafter, and Mr Quigley agreed.

The QC then asked if a handbrake linked to an anti-lock break system, operated by a trained worker might be a system that would safely “stop an out of control vehicle where the driver has blacked out”.

Mr Quigley replied: “Yes.” Mr Clarke is expected to give evidence himself, towards the end of the inquiry before Sheriff John Beckett QC which continues today and may last up to six weeks.