Fatal Work Accident

The death of an engineering worker following an explosion has resulted in his father and son employers being fined £85,000.

Health and safety breaches by Bath-based R J Bateman (Engineering) Limited led to the death of Anthony Reed on April 2006. The safety failures led to an explosion of a coolant drum, which caused Mr Reed to suffer fatal injuries.

The company, which has a factory at Bycott, Chumleigh in Devon and makes crop spraying equipment, pleaded guilty to breaches under Section 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work (HSWA) etc. Act 1974. Richard and John Bateman both admitted a breach of Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 at Exeter Crown Court today.

Mr Reed was a novice welder and the company was found guilty of failing to protect him and other staff working at the factory.

The firm was also found guilty of breaching regulation 3 (1) of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995, following an earlier incident in November 2004 which the company failed to report to HSE.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: “I welcome the fine imposed following this terrible fatal accident at work.

“This work accident, like so many, would never have happened if proper steps had been taken by the employer to provide a safe system of work.

“I regularly help workers pursue their compensation claim following an accident at work caused by an unsafe working practice.”

If you have lost a loved one due to an accident at work, our serious injury compensation solicitors could help you claim compensation to help get the answers you deserve. For more information visit our fatal accident claims or workplace accident claims page.