On January 18 Mr Altoft was working for Cape on nights at the Warwickshire cement plant during an annual shutdown when the accident happened at around 1:45am.
The local Ambulance Service said crews treated a major head injury, but Mr Altoft was pronounced dead at the scene. Also a 36-year-old man who was also injured in the accident was treated for an arm injury at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.
The accident is still under investigation by the Health & Safety Executive.
Starting in 2001 as a labourer Mr Altoft had worked for Cape at various times during his scaffolding career and was very well known within the industry and scaffolding community.
A spokesman for Cape said: “Cape is greatly saddened by John’s death and extends its deepest sympathy to his family and those close to him.”
It is believed that scaffolders on various sites throughout the country walked out as a mark of respect as the news of Mr Altofts death spread.
A flood of tributes from fellow scaffolders for the well known scaffolder were posted on our site and our facebook page after the news broke last Wednesday.
Chris Cusick said: “R.i.p. John,this should never have happened.” “Deepest sympathy to ben and his sister. A really smashing lad who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
Gareth Oakes said: “John i only new you for a short while buddy you’re a top man r.i.p pall”
Craig A Cartmell said: “A shock to all scaffs around the country so so sad.”
Arron Knibbs said: “R I P john, he was good to work with and a spot on lad too, brings a tear to the eye!! Sadly missed!!”
Lucas Laguniak said: “R.I.P John !! Used to work with Him at Drax for Cape also with other 2 lads that been there the same time !!”
Mr Altoft’s funeral will be held at Woodlands Crematorium, Scunthorpe, on Monday, January 30 at 2pm. U.K. Edition
Steel fabricator and erector business Dartmeet Services Ltd is to be sentenced at Truro Crown Court later after pleading guilty to the offences following the death of Michael Stone in 2008.
Mr Stone, 44, of MJ Stone Scaffolding, died after falling through a skylight at the creamery’s chemical store on November 4 while working as a subcontractor.
During a hearing at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court on January 18, Dartmeet Services, of Union Street, Newton Abbott, Devon, through its legal representative, counsel Mr Wibberly, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure both that scaffolding contractors working at the creamery, including Mr Stone, were not exposed to risks of health and safety and that work by them was properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner.
Mr Stone’s firm was small but successful, working all over Devon and Cornwall for a variety of large companies, such as Anglian and Stormseal.
At the time of his death his wife Mandy described him as the perfect husband.
“He has been my world since the age of 13. I cannot imagine life without him. He was always supportive. He would do anything for me and I would do anything for him,” she said.
“He was just my perfect husband. He would do anything for anyone.”
Also charged are Dairy Crest Ltd, of Claygate House, Littleworth Road, Esher, Surrey, and Dartmeet’s manager Mark Tennant, 39, of Valley View, Treburley, Launceston, Bodmin Magistrates’ Court heard.
Dairy Crest, which did not indicate pleas, is charged with failing to ensure that scaffolding contractors working at the creamery were not exposed to risks of health and safety and that prominent warning notices were affixed at the approach to the roof of the chemical store.
Mr Tennant, manager of Dartmeet, pleaded not guilty to failing to ensure that work at height by subcontractors was properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner.
The case against Dartmeet Services was committed to Truro Crown Court for sentence on February 16 and the case against Dairy Crest and Mr Tennant was adjourned until February 29 for committal to the crown court.
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The company says that the move will create a number of new jobs in the region, including with skills in scaffolding, protective coatings, insulation and asbestos remediation.
Pyeroy, is based in Gateshead, employs 1,200 and boasts revenues of around £75 million. It provides a range of industrial services including contract access scaffolding, the application of specialist coating technology and environmental containment and surface blasting.
Siteserv confirmed the debt in a Stock Exchange announcement as Petroplus continues to face a cash flow crisis which has seen more than half of its global refineries shut down.
Coryton is believed to be working at half capacity putting huge questions marks over Deborah Services long-term future at the Essex plant.
Deborah Services renewed its maintenance contract for the provision of access, insulation and asbestos removal last October in a three-year deal due to be worth £34m.
But the firm said yesterday: “Since 27 December 2011, Petroplus has made a number of announcements concerning its financial condition and that it is in discussions with its lenders.
“As at the date of this announcement, the Coryton Refinery remains open and Deborah Services continues to be actively engaged with Petroplus regarding its financial situation.
“Deborah Services is currently owed approximately £1.49m by Petroplus.
“Siteserv will continue to actively monitor the situation as it evolves.”
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Father-of-three David Collins was unloading behind Argos, in Festival Park, Etruria, when a tonne of scaffold tubes landed on him, fracturing his spine and leaving him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Construction company Morgan Ashurst was carrying out a shop refurbishment at the time and Mr Collins, aged 34, was working for subcontractor Spectra Scaffolding.
At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday, Spectra bosses pleaded guilty to two breaches of health and safety standards.
Bernard Thorogood, prosecuting, said: “On the day the accident happened Mr Collins was lifting equipment from the back of a vehicle with a mobile crane. It was a bundle of scaffold tubes.
“There was a defective safety catch on the hook, they came out and he was trapped under them. He suffered devastating consequences.”
The court heard the equipment was poorly maintained and Mr Collins, who lives in Bury, was only trained to carry out routine lifting operations.
He had already delivered a load to the front of the Argos store that morning, in November 2008, as planned but had then been told to go to the back and unload in a small compound without any help.
Bury-based company Spectra Scaffolding was formed in 2005 and delivers, constructs and dismantles scaffolding across the North West.
John Cooper, defending the firm, said: “The lift was more complicated than originally anticipated. This accident occurred because of the changes imposed by Morgan Ashurst.
“This prosecution will have a huge effect on this business. They have 29 employees and this will have a devastating blow.”
The court heard the three directors only take £500 a month as salaries but also take dividends of £42,000 a year each.
The company has been fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £45,000 prosecution costs spread over four years.
Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said: “This was a catastrophic and life-altering accident.
“Mr Collins is now a paraplegic and the rest of his life has been blighted.
“The company had a good safety record and this was an isolated incident.
“They have taken many steps to remedy the situation with a full review of procedures and a revision of the lifting plan.
“But the failings led to a cataclysmic consequences for Mr Collins.”
A private prosecution is due to start at Manchester Crown Court in February against Bury-based Spectra Scaffolding and Morgan Ashurst.
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