A contractor has been fined today after a labourer drowned while building an extension at a domestic property in Wembley, Brent.
Chris Byrne, of Christchurch Avenue in Brent, was found guilty to breaching Regulation 5(2) of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996. He was fined £750.00 and ordered to pay costs of £750.00 at Westminster Magistrates' Court today (15 December 2009).
The court heard that on 30 June 2006, the 21 year old labourer from Harrow, started work extending a house in Charterhouse Avenue, in Wembley. He was working for Mr Byrne, who was contracted to build an extension to the property.
The labourer had limited knowledge of English. On his first day he was instructed by Mr Byrne to fill earth around the concrete blocks, in an area next to the extension. Mr Byrne removed a board covering a 1.74 metre excavation pit to show him that it was filled with water.
Mr Byrne then left him alone on the site, leaving the excavation pit unguarded. Later that day, when Mr Byrne returned, he found the labourer head first in the pit with water up to his waist. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
HSE Inspector, Monica Babb, said:
"The labourer had little experience and was left alone with a excavation pit that wasn't properly guarded. His death was clearly avoidable as the risks of excavations and falling from height is well known.
"Those running construction sites, whether they are domestic or commercial jobs, have a duty of care to supervise vulnerable workers on their sites."
Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office.
Issued on behalf of HSE by COI News & PR (London & South East)
Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office who act as HSE's Press Office throughout Great Britain.
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