A concrete pumping company and its director have been fined a combined total of more than £30,000 after an employee was struck and killed by concrete.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how worker Kevin Hoare, 26, was attempting to clear a blockage in a vehicle-mounted concrete pump at Cranbook Road, Wimbledon on 13 February 2017. The pump ejected concrete, which struck and killed Hoare, who had been working for Anytime McDaids since December 2016.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that Anytime McDaids had no system to train operators to carry out the work safely, or arrangements to supervise them.
The court found that Anytime McDaids failings were due to the neglect of Laurence McDaid, the sole director.
Anytime McDaids of Greenford, Middlesex, pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 The company has been fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £12,102.81.
Laurence McDaid of Tooban, Burnfoot, County Donegal, Republic of Ireland, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He has been fined £2,600 and ordered to pay costs of £636.99.
HSE inspector James Goldfinch said: “Concrete pumps have great potential to be dangerous when operated by those without suitable training, as they operate under high pressures.
“All employers should ensure that equipment which can kill or cause harm to employees and nearby members of the public are operated by suitably trained and supervised workers. Company directors like Mr McDaid have a responsibility to ensure their company works in compliance with health and safety legislation, part of which is to ensure their employees are provided with adequate training and supervision.
“In this case a young worker, having only been employed by the company for two months, was not provided with adequate training and supervision, which led to the unsafe operation of the pump and ultimately his tragic death”.
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