Coleman reveals £1.3m Didcot disaster costs

Demolition contractor Coleman and Company has set aside £1.3m to cover costs on the tragic Didcot demolition job which claimed the lives of four men.

In its annual accounts for the year to April last year, which covers the period of the incident at Didcot power station and part of the subsequent recovery operation, the contractor revealed the exceptional costs relating to the rescue and recovery operation.

In the report, the Birmingham firm’s group managing director Mark Coleman said the cause of last February’s incident is not yet known.

He said: “In the event the company is considered to have some responsibility, then based on professional advice the directors understand that insurance cover should be available to offset any financial claims.”

In its results, the company has announced a 22% drop in pre-tax profit to £1.03m, which it said has been reduced by “prudent provisions to exceptional costs.”

Turnover was down to £28.2m compared to £30.3m the previous year.

In the report, Coleman added: “The directors firmly believe that the core company strategies of developing innovative methods of demolition and deconstruction; creating a culture where healthy, safety and risk aversion is paramount at all times; and increasing its share of complex demolition work where environmental issues are critical are still relevant and robust.

“However, the directors are determined that the company, and the demolition industry as a whole, develop new procedures to deliver consistently a zero incident rate on major health and safety matters.”