Engineering group Assystem due in court over worker’s death

A LANCASHIRE engineering company is due to appear in court  to answer charges following the death of an electrician who was crushed by an overhead crane.

The Health and Safety Executive  is bringing criminal proceedings against Preston -based Assystem UK Ltd after Liam O’Neill was crushed between a working platform and the overhead crane while replacing the crane’s control cable on in March 2011.

The 51-year-old from Didsbury, Manchester, died in hospital seven days later.

The company, which is part of the international Assystem group, has been charged with breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 following the incident at its plant on Club Street in Bamber Bridge.

The charge relates to failing to ensure the safety of employees.

Assystem UK Ltd is due to appear before Preston Magistrates’ Court for the first hearing in the case.