Philip Griffiths, 38, was killed while working for Laing O鈥橰ourke at Heathrow Airport in October 2014.
Southwark Crown Court heard that Philip and his brother Paul Griffiths were trying to move a broken down scissor lift on an airport service road. Paul Griffiths tried to tow the scissor lift away using a dumper truck under the direction of managers. But his foot got stuck between the brake and the accelerator and the truck accidentally reversed. Philip, who was standing between the two vehicles, was crushed between the dumper truck and the scissor lift. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that neither worker an operators鈥� certificate for using dumper trucks, and that the operation was not properly overseen or managed.
Following the incident on 2nd October 2014, Laing O鈥橰ourke Construction Ltd of Dartford pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 22(1)(a) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. It was fined 拢800,000 and ordered to pay costs of 拢10,000.
HSE Inspector Jack Wilby said after sentence: 鈥淭his incident was a tragedy for all concerned and, as revealed by our investigation, entirely avoidable.
鈥淟aing O鈥橰ourke did nothing to address the trend of these workers carrying out tasks they weren鈥檛 trained or authorised for. These dedicated staff, including Philip and his brother, needed appropriate supervision.
鈥淗ad there been appropriate supervision, then better segregation between Philip and these two vehicles could have been established and maintained. This case should act as a reminder of the dangers of using workplace transport without proper planning, management or monitoring of the risks involved.鈥�
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