The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has successfully prosecuted two building companies after one man died and two other workers were seriously injured when scaffolding collapsed.

In April 2006, the three men – John Robinson, 49, his son Mark and colleague Ivan Penkov – were working at the Jury’s Inn site in Witan Gate, Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire when they plunged 40 metres to the ground after scaffolding collapsed. The men remained buried under rubble until rescue workers released them.

John Robinson sustained serious injuries to his leg. He was taken to hospital and as a result of his injuries, developed a pulmonary embolism – a blood clot in the lungs – from which he died.

His son Mark Robinson sustained a punctured lung, broken vertebra and ribs and significant cuts and bruising in the fall. Mr Robinson was unable to work for a period following the incident.

Ivan Penkov sustained serious fractures to his legs and arms and spent a month in hospital recovering. Mr Penkov has undergone further surgery on a number of occasions and has had to retrain as a draftsman.

On Monday (23/11/09) at Huntingdon Crown Court, the principal contractor on the site – McAleer & Rushe Limited of Cookstown in Northern Ireland – was fined £90,000 and ordered to pay costs of £42,000, after pleading guilty at a previous hearing to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety At Work etc Act 1974.

The cladder on the site, Lee Smith Carpentry Limited of Romsey in Hampshire, was fined £36,000 and ordered to pay costs of £28,000, after pleading guilty at a previous hearing to four breaches of the health and safety regulations.

After the hearing, HSE Principal Inspector Stephen Hartley said that it was ‘totally unacceptable’ for companies to disregard the safety of their workers – and added that if the scaffolding had been ‘designed, erected and managed properly’, the incident would never have happened.

‘John Robinson lost his life in this incident and two others have had their lives changed forever as a result,’ said Mr Hartley. ‘It’s a wonder that more people weren’t hurt.’

John Robinson’s widow, Mrs Christine Robinson, said:

‘John was a kind, caring man who lived for his family. My children and I have not come to terms with his death – we don’t understand why it had to happen. This incident should never have happened if both companies had ensured the safety of those working for them. Every day I miss John so much – my best friend, my soul mate and my future.’

© 5r1 Limited 2009