Ad
Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Scaffolder dies instantly after dumper truck crush

ADVERTISEMENT

Top Construction And Engineering Firms Awaiting Sentencing Following Tragic Death Of Scaffolder

Sentencing over serious health and safety breaches involving Both housebuilder Redrow and sub-contractor WPI Civil Engineering has been adjourned until February 9th.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Harry Jones a 67-year-old scaffolder was killed instantly after a dumper truck driven by an unqualified driver reversed into him. The tragedy in August 2013 was also witnessed by Mr Jones’s son Christopher, who was working at the construction site of Redrow Homes’ Summerhill Park housing development in Knotty Ash.

Mr Jones suffered fatal crush injuries when he went under the wheels of the truck and was pronounced dead at the scene. Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the companies pleaded guilty to the health and safety breaches, involving the 43-ton six wheeled truck. The court was told it was driven by an inexperienced, unqualified driver and was being reversed because the turning circle was full of building detritus. Although its reverse alarm was sounding, Mr Jones suffered serious hearing problems and had his back to the vehicle when he was hit.

Kevin Donnelly, prosecuting, said safety procedures were not followed at the building site, which meant vehicles – including heavy plant machinery – and workers on foot were not kept apart.

He said: “Both employees and non-employees were exposed to significant risk of harm.

“There was inadequate management of site activity to minimise the risk of collision between pedestrians and vehicles.

“This placed those who were working on site at risk of being struck by site vehicles, which could and should have been avoided.”

John Cooper, QC, representing Redrow Homes, said: “The company recognises its safety responsibilities and is anxious about those who work on its sites, from the top down. This was a rare and regrettable failure.”

Dominic Kay, QC, representing WPI, said: “It’s a source of enormous regret to WPI that someone lost their life as a result of its failings. It’s a family business and has been hit very hard indeed by the accident. It has been trading for 40 years without a previous conviction and takes health and safety very seriously.”

Following the case, HM Inspector of Health and Safety Jacqueline Western said: “It’s entirely foreseeable that if traffic management and pedestrian segregation is not properly implemented on site, that incidents like this will occur.”

Mr Jones leaves three children, 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Family members from Westhoughton near Bolton were present at the proceedings. The recorder, Judge Clement Goldstone, QC adjourned sentencing until next month.

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest news

Avontus to host free webinars on digital scaffold management this November

Avontus Software has announced a series of free, live webinars in November designed to help contractors overcome the everyday challenges of tracking and managing...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive line-up of international speakers for its upcoming Scaff25 Annual Conference & Awards Night, set to...

Demolition firm issues statement following Manchester building and scaffolding collapse

Manchester-based demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor has released an official statement following Friday’s partial collapse of a building surrounded by scaffolding in the city centre. The...

Building and scaffolding partially collapses in Manchester city centre

A building in Manchester city centre has partially collapsed during demolition work, with scaffolding and debris seen falling into the nearby River Irwell. Emergency services...

Benchmark Scaffolding wins Silver at national awards

Benchmark Scaffolding has been recognised with the Silver Award in the Specialist Contractor of the Year category at the 2025 National Building and Construction...

Construction leaders unite against government plan to shorten apprenticeships

More than 20 construction organisations, including the NASC, have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning that plans to cut apprenticeships to eight months risk undermining skills, safety, and confidence in training.

HSE launches major construction site safety inspections in Manchester

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out a series of unannounced inspections at construction sites across Manchester city centre this week. Twelve inspectors...

JR Scaffold honoured with Ministry of Defence Silver Award

Paisley-based JR Scaffold has been recognised among a select group of leading Scottish businesses to receive the prestigious Silver Award from the Ministry of...

Brogan Group acquires Sunbelt Rentals UK hoist division

Brogan Group has announced the acquisition of Sunbelt Rentals UK’s hoist division in a deal that significantly expands its operations and fleet across the...

Scaffolding firm hits back at €9.2 million lawsuit claims

The CEO of Global Scaffolders UAB has defended the company’s labour practices after Sweden’s construction union Byggnads filed a €9.2 million lawsuit alleging wage...

Latest news

ADVERTISEMENT

The magazine

Issue 27 | Past issues >>

Popular

Building and scaffolding partially collapses in Manchester city centre

A building in Manchester city centre has partially collapsed...

ScaffChamp 2025: Teams Gather in Vilnius for Opening Day

The international scaffolding competition ScaffChamp 2025 has officially begun,...

Construction leaders unite against government plan to shorten apprenticeships

More than 20 construction organisations, including the NASC, have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning that plans to cut apprenticeships to eight months risk undermining skills, safety, and confidence in training.

Demolition firm issues statement following Manchester building and scaffolding collapse

Manchester-based demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor has released an official...

HSE launches major construction site safety inspections in Manchester

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out...

Related articles

Scaffolder’s Epic Munro Challenge Captured in BBC Documentary

Scotland — A Scottish scaffolder has captured national attention after the BBC aired a documentary following his extraordinary eight-year mission to descend all 282 of Scotland’s Munros — with his mountain bike. Sean Green,...
ADVERTISEMENTS

Latest topics

Staht secures largest ever distribution deal with Leach’s

One of the UK’s leading testing technology firms, Staht,...

Avontus to host free webinars on digital scaffold management this November

Avontus Software has announced a series of free, live...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive...

Demolition firm issues statement following Manchester building and scaffolding collapse

Manchester-based demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor has released an official...
ADVERTISEMENTS