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Family dismay at teen's work death fines
Safety campaigners and the family of a teenage construction worker killed as a result of the negligence of three site firms have expressed dismay at the size of the penalties imposed by a court last week. Steven Burke, 17, died on 30 January 2004 just a fortnight after his bosses have been served with a warning notice because two safety harnesses were in such poor condition. Steven was wearing a harness at the time of the tragedy, but it was not clipped to the scaffolding. Inquiries revealed his team were due to earn a bonus if their job was completed within a day. 3D Scaffolding Ltd was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay £20,000 costs last week. Site supervisor David Swindell junior, son of David Swindle, managing director of 3D, was fined £7,500 and ordered to pay £15,000 costs. Structural repair specialists RAM Services Ltd was fined £75,000 and £20,000 costs. And principal contractor Mowlem plc was fined £75,000 and ordered to pay £70,000 costs. Steven's family and safety campaigners said they unhappy with the fines. They were also distressed the judge failed to mention an immediate prohibition notice served on 3D Scaffolding on 29 November 2005 for a very similar breach, instead saying the firm had a 'good safety record' in the four years after Steven's death. FACK spokesperson Hilda Palmer said: 'No amount of money would bring Steven back or hurt the defendants whose actions and inactions led to his death, but the family feel fines should be much greater to bring home the full seriousness of what they have done. We feel fines alone are an insufficient penalty for taking a life.' HSE chief inspector of construction Stephen Williams said: 'Steven Burke's death, at the very start of his working life was not only a tragedy, it was also entirely preventable. Had those responsible assessed the work properly and ensured that he was supervised at all times by a qualified scaffolder, then Steven would not have been killed. Our thoughts go out to his family.'
Briefing document (400 words) issued 15 Feb 2008
