Case against second plant firm involved in incident is adjourned after it goes into administration
Eurolift (Towercranes) has been fined £50,000 for its part in the deaths of two workers in 2005.
The sentencing follows the prosecution in March of both companies for their part in an incident that led to the death of two workers and injured a third in February 2005.
Eurolift (Towercranes) and WD Bennetts Plant & Services were convicted in March after pleading guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Following its prosecution, WD Bennetts Plant & Services went into administration, changing its name to “WDB1” in May 2009. The case against it was adjourned. Eurolift (Towercranes) still exists but is no longer trading.
Judge William Wood said that the breach was serious enough to attract a fine in the region of £100,000 to £200,000. But taking into account the current financial state of the company, he imposed a fine of £50,000 and ordered it to pay costs of £1,000.
The deceased men, Steve Boatman and Gary Miles, had been working on the jib of a crane when it collapsed. A third man, who was injured in the incident, was working on the mast of the crane.
Boatman and Miles were flung from the crane and died from injuries sustained in the fall. The third victim suffered several broken bones and lacerations.
The judge said: “It seems to be right that Eurolift should discontinue trading rather than for me to impose a trivial fine that does not reflect the gravity of the offence.”
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