05.10.2004

Companies fined for Workers death from scaffold fall

Three construction companies , Deverson Direct Limited, J Murphy and Sons Limited and Hochtief Akteingesellschaft have today been fined a total of £100,000 at Maidstone Crown Court for breaches of health and safety legislation.

The prosecution followed an investigation by the Health and Safety Exectuive (HSE) into an incident on 1 May 2003 at the northern approach to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) Thames Tunnels. , Mr Paul Ross was killed after falling approximately 7 metres whilst working with colleagues to construct a re-enforced concrete roof in the plant room above the northern portal to the Thames tunnels (CTRL). Another worker was also injured in the incident when he was hit by a falling steel beam.

Peter Collingwood, HM Inspector of Safety and Health, said:

'This accident resulted from an ongoing failure by the companies involved to ensure that there was a safe system of work in place. The installation of guard rails along the open edge of the scaffold would have prevented this needless loss of life. Ensuring that scaffolding has adequate guard rails is a basic and simple precaution that everyone in the construction industry should be aware of.'


Each of the companies pleaded guilty to the breaches and were fined as follows:

* Deverson Direct Limited were fined £30,000 after pleading guilty to breaching two counts of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work act 1974 and £20,000 for breaching Regulation 8(1) of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996. They were also ordered to pay costs of £5,851;

* J Murphy & Sons Limited were fined £15,000 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of HSW Act and £10,000 for breaching Regulation 8(1) of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996. They were also ordered to pay costs of £2,925.50;

* Hochtief Akteingesellschaft were fined £15,000 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of HSW Act and £10,000 for breaching Regulation 8(1) of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996. They were also ordered to pay £2,925.50.

Hochtief and J Murphy & Sons Ltd are in a joint venture and are the principal contractors for the twin tunnels of the channel tunnel rail link that pass under the Thames.