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Time-saving cost worker’s life
A TIME-saving operation at a construction site in Piccadilly cost a young worker his life a court heard.
After agreeing that no one could be blamed for the “terrible tragedy”, an Old Bailey judge said that no financial penalty could ever compensate for the loss of a “priceless life”.
Bulgarian employee Rodostin Stoyanov, 21, suffered fatal chest injuries when he was hit by heavy wooden boards which slipped and fell while being loaded at the Piccadilly site.
He died two days later in hospital.
The industrial accident in September 2004 happened when Mr Stoyanov, of Gaisford Street, Kentish Town, was helping to stack sheets of plywood onto a flat bed lorry, said Joanna Hall.
Prosecuting for the Health and Safety Executive, Ms Hall told the court that a decision was taken – after 14 loads had been lifted by crane and stacked – to change the system “to something more convenient and to save time”.
But the way in which five boards were strapped to be lowered was “highly inappropriate”. The slings failed to secure a load and five boards slipped and plunged 15 feet, hitting Mr Stoyanov.
The firm of William Verry Ltd admitted a health and safety breach and was fined £8,000 with £11,000 costs by Judge Richard Hawkins QC.
Counsel for the company said it had an unblemished safety record and deeply regretted the death. The accident was caused by a normally reliable, skilled and trained employee failing to discharge his duties.
Judge Hawkins said: “Clearly there was no deliberate breach of regulations.” |
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