Firms fined after beam kills worker

The death of a building site worker killed by a concrete beam has resulted in a £130,000 fine for two companies.

The 31-tonne beam fell on 43-year-old Gary Drinkald after chains securing it were removed from a crane before it was secured to a low loader lorry on a building site in West Thurrock, Essex.

The beam was removed from the A1306 Stifford Rail Bridge, which was being demolished, and placed on the back of the lorry on April 6 2006.

Mr Drinkald was working for one of the firms, Micor Ltd of Stock Road, West Hanningfield, Chelmsford. Micor was prosecuted along with Crane and Transport Services Ltd of Hartley, Kent.

Micor Ltd was the main demolition contractor, and admitted breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £20,000 at Basildon Crown Court.

Crane and Transport Services Ltd, was subcontracted to provide staff to supervise the lifting and admitted breaching Regulation 8(1) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. They were fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £10,000.

Micor Ltd and Crane and Transport Services Ltd pleaded guilty to the charges in Southend Crown Court last May.

IBB Solicitors has built a reputation for quality of service in pursuing compensation in cases involving accident, illness or death. If you would like advice on personal injury issues, you can contact a member of IBB's Personal Injury team, call us on 08456 381 381 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk.