03.11.2015

Baldwin’s trial progresses

The corporate manslaughter trial of UK crane rental company Baldwins, brought after one of its 500 tonne All Terrain cranes ran away while leaving a wind farm site in August 2011, killing operator Lindsey Easton, 49, has been hearing from the prosecution.

The case brought jointly by the HSE and Lancashire Police is now in court, with Andrew Thomas QC, prosecuting, telling jurors that the Health and Safety Executive found that four of the five braking systems on the crane had either been disabled or were damaged – with only a poorly maintained retarder still in operation.

He also stated that subsequent checks of the company’s seven-strong heavy crane fleet found that 75 percent of them required significant repairs and/or replacement parts on their braking systems, leading to two further health and safety charges. When Easton’s partner Carol Robinson was cross examined she claimed that Easton had voiced concern over maintenance and said that it would kill him.

Baldwins, represented by chairman Richard Baldwin and managing director Wayne Baldwin, have denied all three charges. The trial continues.

See Baldwins trial to go ahead
Note due to the ongoing nature of the trial the comment function has been disabled, and will only be reinstated once the court hands down its verdict.