Fine of £155k for drowned worker

A maintenance contractor whose unsafe working practices caused an employee to drown has been ordered to pay out £155,000. Epsco Ltd was held responsible for the death of Michael Benn, who was killed while working at a North Wales power station to remove debris from part of a cooling tower. Mr Benn, 37, from Glenrothes, Fife was working alongside two others at Connah's Quay Power Station on August 27, 2007, when he entered an enclosed culvert to check the depth of water in the sump. Mr Benn tragically drowned after falling in. Epsco, of Arran Road, Perth, Scotland, was prosecuted by the HSE for failing to have a safe system of work in place. The investigation found that Mr Benn had been working in poorly lit conditions inside the cooling tower. HSE Principal Inspector Colin Mew said: "The real tragedy here is the human cost that has resulted from the death of Michael Benn and the ease with which his death could have been prevented – I hope that other employers take heed of this message". Epsco pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Mold Crown Court ordered the company to pay costs of £120,000 on top of its £35,000 fine. Malcolm Underhill, Partner in IBB's Personal Injury team, comments:

"This successful prosecution against the contractor is likely to lead to a successful claim for damages from Mr Benn's family, against that same contractor. Fortunately workplace fatalities have been declining over the years, but when they do happen, there is a considerable cost to the victim, their family, those responsible for organising the workplace and society."

IBB Solicitors has built a reputation for quality of service in pursuing compensation in cases involving accident, illness or death, including accidents at work. 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.