Company director prosecuted after a workers death

A company director has been given community service after a worker was crushed to death - 13th January 2008

A West Yorkshire company director has been given community service after pleading guilty to health and safety breaches after a worker was killed by falling concrete.

Norman Ellis of Q Homes (Yorkshire) Ltd faced a charge of failing to ensure the health and safety of an employee at Dewsbury Magistrates' Court, to which he pleaded and was found guilty under sections 2 and 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was ordered to do 100 hour community service and pay costs of £6000.

The accident happened in July 2005 when the victim, Andrew Bridges and Ellis were demolishing a 2.5 tonne roof at the back of an old electrical store. When the accident occurred Mr Bridges was crushed beneath the falling concrete roof, resulting in his death.

Sarah Hague a HSE Inspector, said: "This was a tragic incident, made worse by the fact that it could have easily been prevented had the work been properly planned. When embarking on any project such as this, which involves structural alteration and demolition work, it is a basic requirement for work to be carefully planned and risks assessed.

"The court was of the opinion that, in this case, a fine would not have reflected the seriousness of the offence. The way in which the work was carried out, which resulted in Mr Bridges' death, represented very serious failings on the part of Mr Ellis who had planned and was also carrying out the work."