Euro Dismantling Solutions Limited (EDSL) has been fined after failing to ensure the safety of one of its workers who died during the course of his employment duties.
Bristol Crown Court heard how demolition work was being carried out at the former Cadbury factory in Somerdale, near Bristol, by the company.
31-year-old James Stacey, an EDSL worker, was using a mini digger to lift large fibreglass tanks, which had been cut in half.
As part of his work, he was required to lower the tanks from a fourth floor ‘floor-to-ceiling’ opening, so they could be dropped to a designated area on the ground floor.
However, there was no safety barrier across the opening to prevent the machine from falling out of the building.
A tank got stuck to the digger while Mr Stacey was aiming for the ‘drop zone’ area, meaning that the digger was pulled out of the opening to the ground below.
Mr Stacey died as a result of his injuries.
EDSL, which is now in liquidation, pleaded guilty to Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the company was fined £80,000.
Mr Paul Priestley, aged 54, who was the designated site supervisor at the factory where health and safety failings resulted in Mr Stacey’s death, was also charged under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for failing to take reasonable care.
Mr Priestly denied any wrongdoing, but he was sentenced to an 18 month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and also fined £7,500.