Redrow Homes Limited and WPI Civil Engineering Limited have been fined following a vehicle reversing incident in 2013 which resulted in the death of a worker.
On 8th August 2013, a scaffolder, Henry Jones, was walking across a Redrow Homes site in Knotty Ash, when he was hit by a reversing dumper truck, becoming crushed under the rear wheels of the vehicle. Mr. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident was witnessed by his son, who was also working on the site.
Following the incident, an investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Redrow Homes had failed to put any measures in place to keep pedestrians separate from moving vehicles on the site in question. Further investigation found that traffic management across the entire construction site was below par and was an underlying cause of the accident.
WPI Civil Engineering Limited were also found guilty of not providing a Banksman, or ensuring any employees on site had received Banksman training. The vehicle that struck Mr. Jones was discovered to be unsuitable to be on the site upon further inspection.
HSE Inspector, Jacqueline Western, said of the incident “This tragic incident was wholly avoidable. Having safety measures to protect pedestrian workers is a basic and well recognized principle of good construction management. Mr Jones’ death could easily have been prevented if both the principal contractor and the sub-contractor had implemented safe systems of work and ensured that health and safety documentation was communicated and followed.”
She concluded “Tragically, on this occasion both Redrow Homes and WPI Civil Engineering failed to do this.”
Redrow Homes Limited pleaded guilty to Section 3(1) and Section 33(1) (c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and received a fine of £500,000, with further costs of £101,000. WPI Civil Engineering Limited also pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) and Section 33(1) (c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, receiving a fine of £300,000, with further costs of £17,000.
Source: SHP Online, £800k in fines after death of scaffolder, 12th February 2018. Read the full article.