Workers' families win £300k compensation for deaths

The families of two steeplejacks killed at work have received in excess of £300,000 compensation in a case brought by UCATT.

Paul Wakefield and Craig Whelan, both from Nottingham, were killed while repairing the chimney at the Metal Box plant in Bolton in May 2002. The plant was still in operation while the work was carried out and an explosion occurred when the two men were in the chimney.

Some of the directors of the Metal Box plant had been convicted of health and safety breaches before the case was taken up by the union.

Alan Ritchie, general secretary of UCATT, said: “Nothing can ever recompense a family for the loss of a loved one, killed at work. Hopefully the compensation awarded to these two families will ensure that they do not suffer continued financial misery.”