Local construction managers attended a mock trial in mid July to help them understand how important good health and safety is, by seeing first hand what can happen when things go wrong and a worker is injured.

In the 'pretend' criminal trial at Northampton's Sessions House Court, both the company itself and the director of a fictional company were prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), with the verdict decided on the same day.

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The Magistrates judged the case on the facts and arguments presented to them by prosecution and defence lawyers.

The event closed with a discussion of the verdict and its implications, and there was an opportunity to question the legal team.

HSE Health and Safety Awareness Officer Sharon Geeson said: "As a director or senior manager, your job is to make sure that things go right for your business and your workers aren't put at unnecessary risk. With the best will, things can still go wrong. This mock trial aims to explain what can happen when a worker is hurt and the HSE decides to prosecute."

The event was organised by the East Midlands Working Well Together campaign group.

The Working Well Together campaign aims to improve health and safety in the construction industry, particularly in small and micro businesses.

(BMcC/KMcA)