Young boy crushed to death by electrically powered gates
February 26, 2010
Faulkner Gates Limited has been fined £80,000 after a young boy was crushed to death by electrically powered gates.
Bournemouth Crown Court heard how nine-year-old Jason Keet arrived with his mother to visit his grandparents in Poole on 13 April 2006. Jason got out of the car to open the gates at the entrance of the private block of flats. He put his arm and upper body around the gate pillar and prssed the button on the inside which was meant for use by the people leaving the flats on foot.
The Court heard how there was a gap large enough between the edge of one of the gates and a brick pillar for Jason to fit through. When Jason reached to press the button, his head and upper body were in the in the gap when the gates started to move. The opening narrowed, leading to his head being crushed between the gate and the brick pillar.
Faulkner Gates Limited had designed and built the gates but failed to control the risks that were being created. The company was charged with braches under Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 following the incident. The company was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £40,000.
Speaking after the hearing, the prosecuting HSEP Inspector, Stephen Hanson-Hall, said: "Jason was on his way to see his grandparents, and was simply trying to help his mum by opening the gates. There is no way he could have been expected to understand the risks created by the design of these gates.
"Had the company undertaken a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, and communicated its findings with the other companies involved in the design and installation of the gates, it is unlikely this tragedy would have happened. Where several organisations are involved in design and construction projects, they must cooperate and communicate effectively with one another to control risks to the public."
Inspector Hanson-Hall concluded "This is a tragedy that should never have happened. We cannot emphasise enough the importance of taking into account safety risks, to prevent another family going through the ordeal of losing a loved one - especially one so young, who should have had the whole of his life to look forward to."
Find out more about Risk Assessment
Bournemouth Crown Court heard how nine-year-old Jason Keet arrived with his mother to visit his grandparents in Poole on 13 April 2006. Jason got out of the car to open the gates at the entrance of the private block of flats. He put his arm and upper body around the gate pillar and prssed the button on the inside which was meant for use by the people leaving the flats on foot.
The Court heard how there was a gap large enough between the edge of one of the gates and a brick pillar for Jason to fit through. When Jason reached to press the button, his head and upper body were in the in the gap when the gates started to move. The opening narrowed, leading to his head being crushed between the gate and the brick pillar.
Faulkner Gates Limited had designed and built the gates but failed to control the risks that were being created. The company was charged with braches under Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 following the incident. The company was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £40,000.
Speaking after the hearing, the prosecuting HSEP Inspector, Stephen Hanson-Hall, said: "Jason was on his way to see his grandparents, and was simply trying to help his mum by opening the gates. There is no way he could have been expected to understand the risks created by the design of these gates.
"Had the company undertaken a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, and communicated its findings with the other companies involved in the design and installation of the gates, it is unlikely this tragedy would have happened. Where several organisations are involved in design and construction projects, they must cooperate and communicate effectively with one another to control risks to the public."
Inspector Hanson-Hall concluded "This is a tragedy that should never have happened. We cannot emphasise enough the importance of taking into account safety risks, to prevent another family going through the ordeal of losing a loved one - especially one so young, who should have had the whole of his life to look forward to."
Find out more about Risk Assessment
More Court Cases news:
Worker left paralysed after being crushed by 600 pound steel beam - August 31, 2010Falling panel saw leaves employee brain damaged - August 26, 2010
GBP15,000 fine after worker left with hole through his shin - August 25, 2010
Lack of risk assessment leads to car falling from pier - August 25, 2010
GBP8,000 fine for steeplejack firm - August 17, 2010
