Breaches led to the deaths of two workmen
June 23, 2009
The case against Eurolift (Tower Cranes) Ltd was heard on June 19th 2009 and a second, related case against WD Bennetts Plant and Services Ltd was adjourned.
The sentencing follows the prosecution in March 2009 of both Eurolift (Tower Cranes) Ltd and WD Bennetts Plant and Services Ltd for their part in an incident that led to the death of two workers and injured a third in February 2005.
WD Bennetts Plant & Services Ltd was found guilty of breaching section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and regulation 8(3) of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996. Eurolift (Tower Cranes) Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 8(3) of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996.
After the conviction in March, WD Bennetts Plant and Services Ltd was put into administration. On 7 May 2009, the company’s name was changed to ‘WDB1’. Eurolift (Tower Cranes) Ltd still exists but is no longer trading.
In court today, speaking about Eurolift (Tower Cranes) Ltd, the judge William Wood, stated his belief that the breach was serious enough to attract a fine in the region of £100,000 to £200,000. However taking into account the current financial state of the company he imposed a fine of £50,000 and ordered them to pay costs of £1,000.
The prosecution followed an incident on a construction site at a school in Durrington, Worthing, on 11 February 2005. The deceased men, Steve Boatman and Gary Miles, had been working on the jib of a crane. A third man, who was injured in the incident, was working on the mast of the crane. He was instructed to start de-torquing the mast bolts of the crane. He should have slacked off the bolts one-by-one, and then re-tightened each bolt in turn, but he was not trained in this job and he failed to re-tighten the bolts leaving them part un-done. This caused the crane to collapse as it was turned.
Mr Boatman and Mr Miles were flung from the crane and died from injuries sustained in the fall. The third victim suffered several broken bones and lacerations.
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The sentencing follows the prosecution in March 2009 of both Eurolift (Tower Cranes) Ltd and WD Bennetts Plant and Services Ltd for their part in an incident that led to the death of two workers and injured a third in February 2005.
WD Bennetts Plant & Services Ltd was found guilty of breaching section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and regulation 8(3) of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996. Eurolift (Tower Cranes) Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 8(3) of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996.
After the conviction in March, WD Bennetts Plant and Services Ltd was put into administration. On 7 May 2009, the company’s name was changed to ‘WDB1’. Eurolift (Tower Cranes) Ltd still exists but is no longer trading.
In court today, speaking about Eurolift (Tower Cranes) Ltd, the judge William Wood, stated his belief that the breach was serious enough to attract a fine in the region of £100,000 to £200,000. However taking into account the current financial state of the company he imposed a fine of £50,000 and ordered them to pay costs of £1,000.
The prosecution followed an incident on a construction site at a school in Durrington, Worthing, on 11 February 2005. The deceased men, Steve Boatman and Gary Miles, had been working on the jib of a crane. A third man, who was injured in the incident, was working on the mast of the crane. He was instructed to start de-torquing the mast bolts of the crane. He should have slacked off the bolts one-by-one, and then re-tightened each bolt in turn, but he was not trained in this job and he failed to re-tighten the bolts leaving them part un-done. This caused the crane to collapse as it was turned.
Mr Boatman and Mr Miles were flung from the crane and died from injuries sustained in the fall. The third victim suffered several broken bones and lacerations.
Find out more about Risk Assessment
Find out more about Risk Assessment
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