Man Killed By Falling Mast In September 2011

By Rob Dixon

East London company Universal Builders Supply has been fined £125,000 and ordered to pay costs in relation to a work accident in September 2011, in which a 57-year-old man was killed.

Nigel Sewell died as a result of crush injuries following the incident at Wireless Station Park in Kneesworth, when he was struck by a falling metal mast while working as part of a four-man team to assemble a tri-mast at the rear of the premises.

In a hearing at Peterborough Crown Court, the Health and Safety Executive revealed its investigation in to the incident found that the work was inadequately planned and supervised.

The HSE also found that the lack of separation of vehicles from the assembly process meant a telehandler, used to lift and lower sections of the tri-mast, inadvertently pushed over two sections of the structure.

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist workplace injury lawyers represent victims seriously injured in accidents at work, as well as families who have lost loved ones as a result of serious safety failings in the workplace.

Sally Rissbrook, a lawyer who specialises in work accident claims at Irwin Mitchell, said: “We see a number of cases in which people are seriously injured as a result of falling objects at work, with such incidents often emerging as a result of safety issues which could and should have been addressed.

“Simple steps such as proper supervision and planning can make a huge difference in the workplace and we would urge all employers to ensure they learn lessons from this awful tragedy and prevent the same mistakes from being made in the future.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in relation to Falling Object claims