![PP Construction Safety logo and link to home page [1]](http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/wp-content/themes/ppcs960/images/ppcslogo.jpg)
FATAL FALL AT WARWICK CASTLE ENDS IN MASSIVE FINE
Operator warned of risk which claimed life of visitor to major attraction
Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd has ordered to pay almost £1/2 million in fines and prosecution costs following a 7 day trial over failure to protect visitors to Warwick Castle on 9th December 2007.
Visitor George Townley suffered fatal head injuries when he fell some 4m from the Bear & Clarence Bridge into the dry moat below. He was walking across the bridge when he stumbled and fall from the bridge which is one two routes crossing the moat into and out of the Castle. The parapet walls were 15″ in height. Scaffolding was erected on the bridge following death.
Fall from the bridge was identified as a hazard in a Public Entertainment Licence condition in 1995 and a `Fabric Survey Risk Assessment` in 2003. Merlin failed to pass this information to relevant managers at Warwick Castle, including the health and safety officer. The jury heard that Merlin failed to act on these warnings nor undertake a site specific risk assessment until after the fatal accident.
Proper risk assessments and measures are necessary to protect visitors
Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd had denied two charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act brought by Warwick District Council. The company was fined £350,000 and ordered it to pay £145,000 prosecutions costs.
Rob Chapleo, Divisional Environmental Health Officer said:
“Merlin Attractions Operations Limited were made aware that there was a risk of falling from the bridge on two separate occasions before the fatal accident. Mr Townley’s fatal accident was foreseeable and would not have occurred if Merlin had undertaken a “suitable and sufficient” risk assessment which, in the Council`s view, would have identified the need to provide barriers to the sides of the bridge.
These would have prevented people falling into the moat. I hope that this successful prosecution will draw the attention of the operators of sites open to the public to the need to undertake proper risk assessments and implement the measures necessary to protect visitor safety.”
Latest Construction Health and Safety News
HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 12th DEC 2018
Prosecutions and enforcement notices register latest version
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 12th December 2018HSE SAFETY ALERT: TOWER CRANE BRAKES
Collapse of tower crane jib in high winds prompts HSE warning
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th December 2018VISITING ENGINEER CRUSHED BY SCAFFOLD TUBES
Principal contractor “signed off” contractor storage arrangements
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th December 2018CONCRETE EJECTED BY PUMPING UNIT CLAIMED LIFE
Company and director failed to train and supervise pumping operations
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 5th December 2018REFRESHED GUIDANCE ON FITNESS TO OPERATE PLANT
Construction plant medical fitness Good Practice Guide
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 4th December 2018MAJOR CONTRACTOR & LUL USED UNSAFE SYSTEM
Work method to eliminate moving vehicle hazard not adopted
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 4th December 2018OVERTURNING LORRY CAUSED DEATH OF DRIVER
Groundworks project stockpiling arrangements not properly managed
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 3rd December 2018FORTH BRIDGE LIFTING OPERATION NOT PLANNED
Major project PC failed to plan, supervise and carry out lift safely
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 3rd December 2018DEVELOPER FAILED ON ASBESTOS ASSESSMENT
HSE inspection revealed refurb works without asbestos survey
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th November 2018POST DRIVER HAMMER CRUSHED HAND OF WORKMAN
Unsafe system of work for vehicle crash barrier installation
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th November 2018WORKER FELL FROM LOFT THROUGH CEILING
Major house builder lacked understanding of loft fragile surfaces risk
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th November 2018NEW SITE DUMPER SAFETY GUIDANCE ISSUED
Construction plant sector concerns prompts CPA consults on draft
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th November 2018CCTV INSTALLER FELL THROUGH FRAGILE ROOFLIGHT
Contractor failed to properly plan and control the risks
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th November 2018VISITOR DIED FALLING INTO CONCEALED BASEMENT
Contractor failed to protect basement void on domestic project
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th November 2018RACKING FALL REVEALED UNSAFE SYSTEM OF WORK
European firm fined £300,000 after UK sub-contractor employee fell
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th November 2018FAILURE TO ACT ON VIBRATION AND SILICA HAZARDS
Worker health put at risk during stripping of furnace lining
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th November 2018MAJOR FM FIRM FAILED TO MAINTAIN BACK-UP POWER
Power loss at laboratory site created potential risk from biological agents
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th November 2018IGNORING HSE PROHIBITIONS COST FIRM £250,000
CDM 2015 and work at height requirements repeatedly breached
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 16th November 2018ROOF COLLAPSED UNDER EXCESS LOADING
Director and company fined over roof design failures
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th November 2018FORK LIFT OVERTURNED IN SCAFFOLDING YARD
Untrained operator suffered life changing crush injuries
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 10th November 2018STRUCTURAL SAFETY ALERT: EFFECTS OF SCALE
SCOSS issues alert after concerns disclosed over ‘large structures’
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th November 2018ASBESTOS EXPOSED BY UNTRAINED WORKERS
Contractor failed to act properly despite HSE intervention
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th November 2018GAS MAIN STRIKE REPAIR CAUSED SEVERE BURNS
Contractor excavator damage to gas pipe ends in £1.2m fine
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th November 2018REBAR FELL FROM FLT IN UNSAFE LIFTING OPERATION
Multiple fractures caused by inappropriate use of fork lift
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th November 2018POORLY PLANNED LIFT DISMANTLE INJURED WORKMAN
Counterweight or suspension rope struck worker in lift shaft
Posted on 1st November 2018
