Major construction firm fined following staff fatality

A national construction firm has been fined £160,000 after one its workers died whilst building Everton Football Clubs new training facilities.

In February 2007, Wallasey resident Karl Davis died after falling through a window frame at the Halewood construction site.

The 43-year-old plummeted to the floor after a guard rail gave way under his weight. After three months in a coma Mr Davis tragically passed away in May that year.

Kier North West pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the safety of its workers in front of Liverpool Crown Court earlier this month.

The Bedfordshire-based company was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to the tune of £166,000 and ordered to pay £43,993 in costs.

The court heard how a rubbish chute had been attached to a guard rail to protect labourers working at height. However, managers had failed to ensure that the rail could withstand excessive weight.

"What is incredibly sad about this incident is that a man lost his life when equipment installed to make the work safer failed," commented HSE Inspector Robert Hodkinson outside of court.

"Falls from height are the biggest single cause of death and serious injury at work and employers must make sure not only that they provide suitable safety equipment, but that it is also installed, used and maintained properly."