Construction company admits to safety failure

A matter involving the death of a 35-year-old worker on an Essex construction site has moved closer to resolution as the construction company for which the man worked admitted to unsafe practices. At the time of the accident, the man was working together with a crane operator to move cages. Four cages were successfully moved before the incident, and lift tests were successfully conducted for the final two cages. One of the cages fell on the man and crushed him.

After the accident, a prohibition was issued to the company in connection with further lifting activity due to inadequate safety systems. An inquest related to the Jan. 8, 2014 incident was held in May 2015. The company admitted in March 2016 that the activity was not safely handled. Sentencing in the matter is scheduled to take place on May 27. While information about a possible sentence has not been provided, significant financial penalties have been issued in other cases of deadly safety lapses.

People who face an unsafe working environment might worry about their well-being as they participate in hazardous activities. In some cases, the type of work may present certain serious risks, and workers may want to review safety precautions frequently to ensure that they are guarding against potentially deadly incidents. Safety concerns might be addressed by talking to a safety representative or supervisor for the company. If there is a lack of response to such concerns, it might be helpful to discuss these issues with a Health and Safety Executive representative.

Family members of a worker killed on the job could deal with serious life changes, especially if the decedent was the breadwinner for the family. A solicitor with experience in work accident claims might provide advice regarding how to seek compensation.