Kier Infrastructure has been prosecuted after a heavy concrete block crushed a man's leg during work building two new bridges in Cardiff.

The company has been fined £600,000 after pleading guilty to an offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act.

Newport Magistrates' Court heard how Peter Walker, 42, was working at the Maerdy Bridge site in Cardiff, where Kier was principal contractor on a Network Rail project to build two bridges.

On the day of the accident (15 August 2016), concrete units that would form the bridge were being relocated on the site. Mr Walker was on a ladder removing lifting chains from a 6.93-tonne block of pre-cast concrete when it toppled over and his leg was crushed between the fallen unit and the one behind it. He suffered life-changing injuries.


An investigation by the Office of Rail and Road into the incident revealed that Mr Walker's injuries could have been prevented if Kier had provided adequate supervision for the job.

Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways, said: "Mr Walker suffered devastating injuries in this incident and we are pleased that the severity of the sentence indicates how seriously it is taken by the court.

"We are absolutely committed to protecting the health and safety of workers and, as this prosecution demonstrates, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action when it is necessary."

(LM/MH)