Companies sentenced over worker death on demolition site
Two subsidiaries part of 777 Group fined a total of £215,000 after an employee is killed
TWO associate companies have been fined after a worker was killed when concrete joists fell on him. Electrician John Walker, who worked for 777 Environmental Ltd, met his death while working on a demolition site on Walworth Road, at Elephant and Castle, London, where the Strata SE1 tower is located.
He was working near two remote-controlled demolition machines in August 2007. Breaking through a structural beam, the machines dislodged several concrete joists which struck Mr Walker and he died at the scene.
The incident was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and principal contractor, 777 Demolition and Haulage Co. Ltd, and subcontractor (and sister firm) 777 Environmental, were subsequently prosecuted after it found both companies failed to properly plan, manage and monitor the demolition of the structure.
Southwark Crown Court was told the businesses failed to prepare or implement an effective and safe system of work for the demolition which, ultimately, allowed for an uncontrolled collapse to take place. HSE explained that as the principal contractor, it was the duty of 777 Demolition and Haulage to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of those not in their employment but affected by the work on site.
As the employer of Mr Walker and subcontractor tasked with undertaking the demolition of the building, 777 Environmental’s failure to properly investigate the nature of the structure as demolition proceeded led to the uncontrolled collapses.
HSE said by not having implemented robust exclusion zones this sadly allowed a wholly foreseeable risk to have fatal consequences. The company admitted breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, at an earlier hearing and was fined £90,000.
Croydon-based 777 Demolition and Haulage denied the charges but were found guilty, after a trial, of breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and fined £125,000. In addition, costs of £167,857 were awarded to HSE.
Dominic Elliss, HSE principal inspector, said: ‘This was a tragic incident by any standards and robbed a family, friends and colleagues of John Walker. I hope this case sparks renewed focus by all in the construction industry on the importance of effective planning, constant review and robust supervision throughout demolition works.
‘There are clear responsibilities laid down in law for all duty holders undertaking construction works. It is vital that they all play their role effectively to manage risk and prevent entirely avoidable loss of life at work.’
