Firms Fined Over Cherry Picker Collapse

Two construction firms have been fined after admitting to breaching safety failings following a work accident in which a man died in a fall from height.

Amey Infrastructure Services Ltd and Mouchel Parkman Services Ltd were fined a total of £60,000 in relation to the incident in Liverpool in August 2006, when 61-year-old worker Peter Cole fell eight metres after the arm of a cherry picker collapsed.

He died in hospital later in the day.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive revealed that neither of the firms involved in the project had put adequate systems in place to check and maintain the cherry picker throughout the period that it was used for work.

Jonathan Betts, a workplace injury specialist at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office, acts for those who have suffered serious injury at work.

Commenting on this case, he said: “On far too many occasions we have seen just how devastating falls from height can be, particularly in the construction industry where workers tend to face such risks more often than in other sectors.

“Companies have a duty to ensure that their workers are able to carry out their duties in the safest possible manner, with this responsibility meaning they need to undertake risk assessments, check equipment and provide the best possible guidance to their staff.

“Sadly, this case shows just how devastating safety failings in the workplace can be. However, it is vital now that lessons are learned which mean that the same mistakes seen here are avoided in the future.”