Firm fined £25,000 after worker fell to death

Andrew Taylor, aged 29, died on January 24 2003 when he fell from a platform in a factory in Surrey where he working installing a kiln.

A guard rail had been removed he fell eight metres to the floor of the RTAL premises in Fort Road, Tilbury, Essex, causing fatal injuries.

Now RTAL Ltd, of Brighton Road, Purley, Surrey - which manufactures items such as handrails and security fencing - has been fined 25,000 and ordered to pay 5,000 costs.

Managing director of the firm Terry Green was also handed a 2,500 fine and ordered to pay costs of 500, after charges were brought under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Health and Safety Executive Inspector Sandy Carmichael said: "This was a serious breach of obligation to both its own staff and visiting workers, indicative of failure by the company to appreciate the risks from such complex work. Andrew Taylor's tragic and wasteful death could and should have been avoided by straightforward safety precautions."

Green, from Chelmsford, pleaded guilty to charges of neglect by failing to take and sufficient measures to prevent people falling.

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