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Two Lancashire companies have been sentenced following the death of a construction worker in Altham near Accrington.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Howorth Scaffolding Services Ltd and Glenmill Group (Developments) Ltd after Peter Walton fell five metres from scaffolding on Altham Industrial Estate, Sykeside Drive in May 2006.
The 55-year-old from Anchorsholme, near Blackpool, had been working on a project to build three new office blocks when he fell.
Preston Crown Court heard that Mr Walton was critically injured when an unsecured board on the scaffolding gave way. He died five weeks later in hospital.
His widow, Christine Walton, said: “It has been four long, stressful years since the incident that eventually took Peter's life. He meant everything to me and I will love, miss and mourn him for the rest of my life.
“I know that the conclusion of this prosecution won't bring him back but it will help to give me some sort of closure, and to bring this type of incident to the forefront. Sadly Peter's death is just one of many needless deaths that occur in the construction industry due to slack adherence to health and safety regulations.
“Hopefully what happened to Peter, and is still happening on construction sites, will make people realise that health and safety laws are there to protect us and are not to be scorned and scoffed at.”
Howorth Scaffolding Services Ltd and Glenmill Group (Developments) Ltd both pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Howorth Scaffolding, of Accrington Road in Hapton, was fined £25,000 was ordered to pay £13,793 toward the cost of the prosecution. Glenmill Group, of Turner Road, Lomeshaye Business Village in Nelson, was ordered to pay a nominal fine of £1 with costs of £13,793 toward costs.
The judge said the fines reflect the companies’ current financial situations.
Falls from height continue to be a major cause of workplace injuries in Britain. 15 workers lost their lives and there were nearly 11,500 serious injuries across Great Britain in 2008/09.
(BMcN/GK)
