A company has admitted two offences under health and safety legislation following the death of a scaffolder at Davidstow Creamery, near Camelford in Cornwall.
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.
Via: thisiscornwall.co.uk
