Amec fined £300,000 after worker’s death
TWO construction companies have been fined a total of £301,000 after a worker fell 22 metres to his death in Manchester.
Christopher Heaton, from St Helens, was working on the Leftbank riverside apartments in Manchester city centre – part of the Spinningfields development – when he was dragged over the guardrail on a scaffolding platform after becoming entangled in a chain.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the site’s principal contractor, Amec Group, and steel-erection company Shawton Engineering Ltd following an investigation into Mr Heaton’s death.
Liverpool Crown Court heard the 25-year-old suffered fatal injuries after falling approximately seven storeys on 29 April 2004. Another worker, who does not want to be named, was also injured and the incident has had a long-term psychological impact on him.
The court was told Mr Heaton had been using a chain from a scaffolding platform to adjust a steel beam three storeys above him, when one of the supporting brackets gave way. He was hit by a falling steel block, became entangled in the operating chain, and was dragged over the edge of the scaffolding.
An HSE investigation into the incident found that the wrong studs had been used to secure the chain, and that the work had not been properly planned or monitored.
Amec Group was found guilty of breaching the Health and Safety etc Act, by failing to ensure the safety of workers, following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
The Warrington-based company was fined £300,000 and ordered to pay £333,866 towards the cost of the prosecution last Friday (June 29).
Shawton Engineering of Newton-le-Willows pleaded guilty to breaching the same Act by failing to provide and maintain a safe system of work. The company, which has gone into administration, received a nominal fine of £1,000 with no costs.
Speaking after the hearing, Christopher Heaton’s father, Len, said: “After eight years, it is still hard to believe this has happened and, to try to put into words how it has affected us, is very difficult.
“Chris would still be alive today if simple health and safety rules were adhered to, and hopefully lessons have been learned to stop this type of incident happening again.”
HSE Principal Inspector Neil Jamieson added: “It is horrifying that Christopher Heaton was dragged off a scaffolding platform more than 20 metres high, causing him to plummet to his death.
“This was a major construction site, and the work taking place there should have been properly planned and managed.”
