Fatal Accident At Work

The death of a mineworker due to a suspected equipment failure at Kellingley Colliery near Leeds has led to the suspension of production at the site, owned by the UK's largest coal mining firm.

Ian Cameron, 46, died last week, and owners UK Coal said the site would be shut for up to two weeks. The firm has also reported that the Health and Safety Executive has summoned it to court over four deaths at its collieries.

The firm will face 10 charges for three deaths at its Warwickshire site in Daw Mill, along with a single charge relating to a death at Welbeck colliery, near Mansfield, in 2007.

An apparent equipment failure is thought to be to blame for the incident in which Mr Cameron died and UK Coal said the HSE had required it to halt production at the Kellingley site while alterations are made.

The HSE said it was aware of the latest incident and had launched an investigation. Its prosecution of UK Coal over the previous deaths is due for an initial court hearing on November 26 at Doncaster Magistrates' Court.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: “It is of the utmost concern that there has been another fatal accident at work at one of the mines operated by UK Coal.

“This latest fatality is thought to be due to equipment failure.  Employers have a duty to ensure that employees are provided with suitable work equipment that is properly maintained so as to prevent injury or death following a work accident. Sadly, in this case, something appears to have gone very wrong indeed.

“I regularly assist workers and / or their families pursue a compensation claim following injuries sustained following an accident at work.”