Construction equipment hire firm fined after a worker is killed

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A Warwickshire-based construction equipment hire company has been prosecuted for safety failings following the death of an employee

AGD Equipment, based in Warwickshire, has received an £800,000 fine after a worker was killed.

The worker, 49-year-old Mark Seward had only been in the employ of the firm for 16 days when he died.

The case, which was brought before Warwick Crown Court, revealed how Seward was testing a hydraulic cylinder when the incident occurred. It reportedly cracked under the pressure and Seward was hit in the head with a chunk of metal.

Investigation

The subsequent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed safety failings were behind the event, as AGD failed to provide adequate supervision for the task being undertaken.

The firm pleaded guilty of breaching the Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Furthermore, AGD also pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

As a result of the court case the firm was fined £800,000 and ordered to pay costs of £28,711.

HSE inspector Neil Ward said: “This was a tragic incident that should never have occurred.

“It is a company’s obligation to provide a safe system of work for leak testing. This will include protecting people from flying fragments and high pressure oil leaks as well as providing thorough training in how to carry out the work safely.”

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