Printed from the Field Fisher Waterhouse Personal Injury web site
Web address: http://personalinjury.ffw.com//news/2010/dec/firm-fined-over-electricians.aspx

Contacts

RSS news feeds

Firm fined over electrician's death

A Dutch fumigation firm has been fined £60,000 after an electrician fell off a ladder and died.

Robert Schmelter was installing two fumigation chambers at Anchorage Storage Ltd's premises in Kenton, Suffolk, for Bergwerff Numansdrop BV when he slipped off the ladder and hit his head on the floor.

The 42-year-old form Poland was taken to hospital following the work accident, where he died of his injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Bergwerff had failed to properly plan and appropriately supervise Mr Schmelter's work at height to ensure that it was carried out in a safe manner.

The firm admitted breaching health and safety laws at Ipswich Crown Court and was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay costs of £21,709.