Firm fined over horrific accident

A DEMOLITION firm was yesterday ordered to pay more than £27,000 after a worker was struck by a metal girder, causing devastating head injuries.

By The Newsroom

Published 7th Jul 2011, 08:00 BST

Gareth Dodds, from South Shields, was working on a site in Rossington, Doncaster, when he was hit on the head by the 20- metre girder in November 2008.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought the prosecution against Mr Dodds’ employer, James Hudson Demolition Ltd.

Doncaster Crown Court was told that on the day of the incident, Mr Dodds, then 28, was one of four workers on site at the former All Saints School in Rossington.

James Hudson Demolition of Browside Farm, Medley Lane, Northowram, Halifax, had pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety rules at an earlier hearing.

The company was fined £7,500 and ordered to pay £20,000 costs.

After the hearing HSE inspector Rob Cooper said: “This appalling incident could have very easily been avoided had proper thought and planning been put in place

“We hope today’s prosecution serves as a reminder to all employers.”