Accident leads to GBP 130,000 fines

Two companies have been fined a combined total of £130,000 after the death of an employee caused by health and safety breaches.

Construction contractor Lentjes UK will be fined £45,000 plus costs of £25,000, while Rafako SA will pay £85,000 and an additional £35,000.

These were issued after an employee fell to their death while labouring on industrial boilers which were being installed in Maidstone.

While working at height on platforms and walkways surrounding the installations, one of these gave way leading to the accident.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Peter Collingwood claims the accident is one which could have been easily avoided.

"Another life has been lost because of the inability to plan and implement simple and basic precautions and employers need to understand that this is simply not acceptable," he states.

In the most recent health and safety statistics released by the HSE, the construction industry was highlighted as an area of concern which the organisation will need to address.