Hatton deaths: Colas fined £90,000

Prosecutions and Claims |
21.03.2008

Road maintenance firm Colas has been fined £90,000 over the deaths of two men who were electrocuted when the mobile tower light they were moving came into contact with overhead power lines.

Fred Cook and John Crimmins died on 16 January 2002 at the site of a major road resurfacing project on the A66 near Bowes.

In January their employer, Hatton Traffic Management (HTM), was cleared of safety failures relating to their deaths.

Colas, which was acting as principal contractor for the project, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act for failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of non-employees.

On 19 March at Teesside Crown Court, the firm was fined £90,000 with £24,000 costs.

HSE principal inspector Rob Hirst said: "Had the risks from inadvertent contact with overhead power lines been recognised, the work activities properly planned and suitable control measures put in place, then this incident would not have occurred.

"Employers, and those who have any influence or duties in the management of work activities, need to assess, plan and manage such high risk situations."