Inquest rules four crushed workers deaths ‘accidental’

Construction Enquirer 16 February 2014

The deaths of four construction workers who were crushed when 13 tonnes of rebar collapsed on them were accidental, an inquest has found.

Two brothers Thomas and Dan Hazelton, Peter Johnson and Adam Taylor died on 21 January 2011 after a steel cage “folded like a picnic table” crushing them.

The Suffolk men, working for family groundworks contractor Hazegood Construction, had been constructing a steel cage to reinforce the concrete foundations of a high pressure test bay at Claxton Engineering in Great Yarmouth.

They were within the cage, which was inside a 2m deep trench the length of a tennis court, and were fixing steel above their heads when it collapsed.

A total of 39 tonnes of steel and 330 tonnes of concrete would have been used in the completed structure.
The BBC reported that Coroner Jacqueline Lake directed the jury that accidental death was the only verdict open to them.

She said they must not apportion any blame or reach a verdict that may cause either civil or criminal proceedings.

Hazegood Construction director Matthew Hazleton, the brother of two of the men who died, said his company had struggled to find work as a result of the damage to its reputation.
He said a decision would be made in the future by him and his fellow director Neil Gooderham about whether to continue running the business.

A statement from the families of the four men who died said: “The evidence clearly showed that Dan, Tom, Peter and Adam were conscientious and skilled workers and no concerns were raised about the steelwork they were doing.

“We hope the Health and Safety Executive will take appropriate action against those responsible so justice is done, and that lessons will be learned to ensure such a terrible tragedy never happens again.
“We would like to thank those who tried to rescue the men and for all the support we’ve received over the last three years.”

Jon Elven, of the HSE, said: “The HSE will now review the evidence in light of the inquest and decide about whether further criminal proceedings are appropriate, and will announce any decision in relation to this in due course. Meanwhile our thoughts remain with the families of the deceased.”

Accidental death verdict for crushed workers

The Construction Index 17 February 2014

Daniel Hazelton (aged 30), his brother Thomas Hazelton (26), Adam Taylor (28) and Peter Johnson (42) were killed on 21 January 2011 when a huge steel reinforcing cage that they were building in an excavated foundation pit collapsed onto them. The inquest last week heard that 13 tonnes of steel came down on them.

The four men worked for Hazegood Construction, which had been subcontracted by Encompass Project Management to build Claxton Engineering a new £1.5m pressure test facility for offshore oil and gas pipes at its site in Great Yarmouth.

Coroner Jacqueline Lake directed the jury that accidental death was the only verdict open to them.
A statement issued on behalf of the victims’ families said: “We will never be able to come to terms with our devastating loss; four men went to work that day and never came home again. The evidence clearly showed that Dan, Tom, Peter and Adam were conscientious and skilled workers and no concerns were raised about the steel work they were doing.

“We hope the Health & Safety Executive will take appropriate action against those responsible so justice is done, and that lessons will be learned to ensure such a terrible tragedy never happens again.”

Claxton Engineering: Death site documents 'incomplete'

BBC 13 February 2014

The site manager at a construction project where four men died has told an inquest documentation was not properly filled out.

Sean Freeman, who was in charge of the building work, said forms were not correctly completed.
He worked for Encompass Project Management, which was in charge of the building work at Claxton Engineering in North River Road.
 
'No-one qualified'

He said two directors of Encompass, Paul Brand and David Groucott, had discussed paperwork concerning the project.

Mr Freeman said Mr Brand had said one of the forms, concerning a construction design management co-ordinator, could not be completed as the company had no-one qualified for that duty.

Mr Freeman said he took the document to display at the site and didn't notice the omission.

The inquest, at Sprowston Manor Hotel, near Norwich, heard the dead men had earlier rejected a request to wear hard hats.
 
'Not deep enough'

Matt Hazelton, brother to two of the men and a friend of the others, is a director of Hazegood Construction.
He told the inquest that the dead men were all good, skilled, experienced workers.
He said he had been involved in writing the "method statement", detailing how the work would be carried out.

Questioned about the collapse of the sides of the excavation, he said it was not deep enough for there to be a danger of it collapsing and hurting anyone.

David Groucott, a director of Encompass, declined to answer some questions about site safety, documentation and build procedures.

But asked if he had called Matt Hazelton, telling him the build was going "really well", he said: "Yes."

He said the structure looked like it was being properly put up, and that he had "no concern or inkling" it might collapse.

Mr Groucott said he not only worked but socialised with the dead men, and that he would never have allowed them to get involved if he didn't think the site was safe.

Inquest Opens

Bury Free Press 5 February 2014

An inquest into the deaths of four men from Stanton and Rickinghall is due to open at Sprowston Manor Hotel, in Norwich, on Monday.

Hannah Clarke, a personal injury specialist at Ashton KCJ solicitors, will be representing the men’s families.

She said: “The incident has already been the subject of a joint investigation between the Norfolk Constabulary and the Health & Safety Executive.

“The project on which the men were working was a pressure test facility for the oil and gas industry. Although taking place on the Claxton Engineering site, the project was being run by Encompass Project Management Limited who had sub-contracted work to Hazegood Construction Limited.

“The structure on which they were working was designed by URS Infrastructure and Environment UK Limited. One of those killed was a director of Hazegood Construction Limited and the other men who died were employed by Hazegood.”

She added: “From the families’ perspective there are many questions which remain unanswered and we will be attending the inquest on their behalf in order to provide any assistance we can to Coroner Jacqueline Lake in ascertaining the exact circumstances that led to their tragic deaths.”

No manslaughter charges

BBC Website 18 April 2013

No manslaughter charges will be brought after the deaths of four Suffolk men at an engineering firm in Norfolk in 2011.

The police said, after investigating and consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), it would not be pursuing criminal charges.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) said it was reviewing its investigation.

A police statement said: "Following extensive consultation with CPS Special Casework Division, a decision has been made not to proceed with any manslaughter offences against any individual or company.
"Officers from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team will now liaise with the coroner in respect of inquests and the HSE to support any proceedings they may be considering."

 

The HSE has yet to decide whether prosecutions will be brought under health and safety law. A HSE spokesperson said: "Following the CPS's decision , the HSE is reviewing its investigation."

Meanwhile, work is beginning on creating a memorial for the men after the local newspaper group Archant raised £36,000.

It is being erected at The Cock Inn, Stanton, where the four men were regular punters.

The design is being kept a secret, but is due to be ready within two weeks.

Nigel Wallace, pub landlord, said: "It'll be on a plinth and lit up so that people will be able to sit and quietly reflect or just enjoy the area.

"They were part of the village - Dan and Adam played for Stanton FC - and they shouldn't be forgotten."

One year on - investigation continues

Article on <a href="http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/suffolk_aftermath_of_tragedy_lingers_on_for_family_1_1184255W">EADT24</a> 23 January 2012


A year has gone, but this anniversary is bound to be very difficult for family and friends.

A Norfolk Police spokeswoman said officers were continuing their investigations into the incident with the Health and Safety Executive.

“This has involved the expert assessment of the project and the conducting of a number of interviews. Consequently, it is a complex and detailed process that needs to be carried out with due diligence to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Funerals for brothers who died in industrial accident

BBC Website 18 February 2011

Hundreds of mourners have gathered in Suffolk for the funerals of two brothers who died in an industrial accident in Great Yarmouth.

Dan and Thomas Hazleton, aged 26 and 30, were among four men crushed by steel while digging foundations at Claxton Engineering on 21 January.

All four died of asphyxia due to trauma.

The funeral of the brothers took place at the village church in Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds.