Salford firm prosecuted after boatyard death

A SALFORD-based company is to be prosecuted by the Health & Safety executive following the death of a canal boat owner at a dry dock on the Bridgewater Canal.

The HSE is taking legal action against Worlsey Dry Docks Ltd after Richard Ferris suffered major injuries in a fall at The Boatyard in Worsley on 26 May 2010, and died in hospital later that day.

The 61-year-old had been carrying out maintenance work to his narrowboat at the dry dock when he fell head-first onto a concrete floor nearly two and-a-half metres below.

Worsley Dry Docks Ltd has been charged with breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by failing to ensure Mr Ferris’ safety.

The company is due to appear before Trafford Magistrates’ Court in Sale on Friday (June 22) for the first hearing in the case.