FEATURE NEWS


COMPANY SENTENCED AFTER DELIVERY DRIVER ELECTROCUTED


A company in Berkshire has been fined £30,000 after a father-of-four was electrocuted.


Levi Alleyne (known as ‘Chunky’) lost his life while delivering crushed concrete at a construction site on Swallowfield Road, Reading, on 16 November 2020.


Chunky was killed after the crane arm of his lorry came into close contact with an overhead power line, which then created an electrical charge. The 41-year-old later passed away from his injuries.


A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found BBM Contracts Limited, the principal contractor, ordered the delivery and chose the area where the crushed concrete would be delivered. However, the delivery area was located below an 11kv overhead powerline. The company was aware of the presence


of overhead powerlines but did not consider whether there was an alternative way of working which avoided them, nor did it put in place demarcations or warnings. An alternative delivery route was subsequently used following the incident.


BBM Contracts Limited, of Aldbourne Avenue, Earley, Reading, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £30,000 at Reading Magistrates’ Court on 20 June 2024.


HSE principal inspector Georgina Symons said: “This tragic incident led to the death of a father-of-four. This death might have been prevented if the contractor had correctly identified and managed the risks involved.


“The dangers associated with overhead power lines are well-known and a wealth of advice and guidance is freely available from HSE and other organisations.”


This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Samantha Tiger and supported by HSE paralegal officer Helen Jacob.


CHARITABLE TRUST PROSECUTED FOLLOWING DEATH OF VOLUNTEER


A charitable trust has been fined after a volunteer lost his life during restoration work on the Wilts and Berks Canal.


Peter Konitzer was fatally crushed when a section of a wall collapsed onto him in an excavation at Pewsham locks on 24 August 2016.


The 62-year-old had been inside the excavation removing temporary propping that was supporting the wall when the section collapsed.


Wilts & Berks Canal Trust undertook the restoration work as part of its project to preserve, conserve and improve the route of the Wilts and Berks Canal.


A joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Wiltshire Police found Wilts & Berks Canal Trust had failed to ensure the safety of volunteers who were working within the excavation. The temporary propping was inadequate and there was no clear method for the safe installation or removal of props during this renovation work.


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The trust routinely used volunteers to assist in work to undertake tasks including clearing rubbish and overgrowth from various canal sites and general gardening type duties but had increasingly used volunteers for light construction works.


Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, of Dauntsey Lock, Chippenham, Wiltshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The trust was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay £10,822 in costs at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 24 June 2024.


HSE inspector James Lucas said: “This was a tragic and wholly avoidable incident. The situation which led to Peter’s death would not have arisen had the temporary structural works been properly planned and implemented to ensure a suitable safe system of work prior to the incident.


“It is essential that those in control of work of this nature devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction, and training to their workers to ensure their safety.”


This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Iain Jordan and supported by HSE paralegal officer Rebecca Withell.


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