A workman suffered fatal brain injuries when he fell 2m from a wet, wooden unguarded platform. It was revealed to the court that spring-loaded gates designed to protect the platform edge were badly worn.
System wholly inadequate and disaster waiting to happen
The company was fine £2.2 million reduced from £3.3 million because of the early guilty plea. In passing sentence Judge Sheridan said:
“The design was a Heath Robinson do-it-yourself contraption, in my view. The whole of the edge was unguarded which was simply disgraceful. This was an obvious danger. With or without safety advice, it would be idiotic to proceed without having regard to that.
One doesn’t need guidance, one just needs a modicum of common sense to realise this system was wholly inadequate and a disaster waiting to happen. Those responsible for this company should hang their heads in shame at the failings that led to the death of this man.”
