Construction firm fined £2.6m over crushing fatality

A SHEFFIELD-BASED company has been fined £2.6m after an employee was killed when the trench he was working in collapsed on him.
.
James Sim, 32, from Barry, was a subcontractor working on behalf of Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Limited in Lancashire.

In April 2010, he was working in a trench, laying ducting for new cable for an offshore windfarm that was being built off the coast by Heysham, Lancashire. The trench was dug to a depth of 2.4 metres, without any shoring. Mr Sim was killed when he became trapped in the trench after it collapsed on him.

Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Limited, based in Sheffield, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court yesterday after an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). As well as the £2.6m fine it was ordered to pay £54,000 in costs.

The Court heard that Balfour Beatty failed to adequately risk assess the works or control the way in which the excavation took place.

HSE inspector Chris Hatton said after the hearing: “The level of this fine should serve as a warning to industry not to ignore health and safety matters.

“Balfour Beatty failed to adequately assess, plan and supervise the work being undertaken. Trench collapses are easy to prevent, and it is disappointing that James’ life was lost in such a tragic way.

“The family has shown great patience and support throughout this investigation which is a credit to both them and James’ memory.”

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close