A building company has been prosecuted after a worker was killed when a wall collapsed during a refurbishment project in County Durham.

Mike Neesam & Son Limited of Coundon Industrial Estate, Bishop Auckland pleaded guilty of breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It has been fined £20,000 with more than £5,928 in costs. In addition, it was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120.

Peterlee Magistrates' Court heard how 43-year old Steven Ratcliffe was an employee of the company and was working on a toilet refurbishment project on Hall Hill Farm during the time of the incident.


As he attempted to walk out of a shallow trench, Mr Ratcliffe was struck and crushed by a collapsing wall weighing approximately 2.2 tonnes. He died as a result of crush injuries.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident found Mike Neesam & Son failed to take the appropriate measures to prevent structures from collapsing; ; it was found the wall in question was left unsupported at the time of the incident and put employees at risk of harm.

HSE inspector Andrew Woodhall said: "The company failed to identify the risks associated with free standing walls and as a result this ultimately cost Mr Ratcliffe his life.

"This tragic case should act as a reminder to all duty holders that appropriate safety measures need to be taken to protect employees at all times."

(LM/MH)