A property development firm in has been fined over safety failings that led to a worker being crushed to death by the dump truck he was driving.
Lois Gastoneaux Ltd, of St John’s Road, Harrow, and Michael Brett, a self-employed contractor, were prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the wake of the death of Geoffrey Crow, 48.
The victim sustained fatal injuries when he manoeuvred the five-tonne vehicle into a deep and unguarded hole, and the vehicle overturned and landed on him.
Mr Crow was killed instantly in the accident during the revamp of the former RAF Chenies site near Chenies in Buckinghamshire on February 13 2012.
HSE inspector Stephen Manley said: “Working with construction plant can be extremely dangerous, which is why appropriate safety measures must be in place at all times to protect workers and others onsite.
“In this instance, Mr Crow died as a direct consequence of the lack of controls of the risks involved in the excavation operations.
“There was no protection whatsoever to ensure workers, whether driving machinery or otherwise, did not fall into the deep excavation.
“A number of people were at work with Mr Crow and they were all at risk of serious harm through the absence of physical controls, as well as poor maintenance of equipment and a lack of training and information provided to workers.”
St Albans Crown Court heard that Mr Crow, of Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire, was driving at ground level whilst others were excavating a deep basement for a swimming pool at a new house belonging to Kevin Andrwews, the sole director of Lois Gastoneaux Ltd.
Mr Crow’s dump truck slipped into the large trench, which was up to 6.5 metres deep, shortly after he had freed the vehicle when it became stuck near the unguarded edge.
The HSE investigation found that despite operations being underway for some three weeks there were no measures in place to prevent employees or vehicles falling into the excavation, or to prevent any collapse of the excavation faces onto those working below ground.
None of the five construction workers including Mr Crow were accustomed to operating such large plant machinery and none had the relevant construction experience needed despite being asked to dig such a large excavation.
The seat belt on the machine Mr Crow was driving was not working at the time of the incident, and his colleagues told investigators they would not usually wear seat belts when operating the machines.
Lois Gastoneaux Ltd was fined £150,000 and ordered to pay £28,033 in costs after admitting offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.
Michael Brett, of Lodge Lane, Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,500 in costs after admitting offences under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.
The sentencing took place on Thursday.
