Simplex to be prosecuted

The Health and Safety Executive is prosecuting Simplex Piling for alleged breaches of safety procedures following the death of a worker, William Montgomery of Oldham, Lancashire, at a construction site in Maidenhead last summer.

Montgomery was killed by a falling 14m-long steel bar. The case was due to be heard at Slough Magistrates' Court as CJ went to press.





The London piling firm is accused of contravention of regulation 8(1) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment regulations 1998. It states that: "Every employer shall ensure that every lifting operation involving lifting equipment is: (a) properly planned by a competent person; (b) appropriately supervised; and (c) carried out in a safe manner". The maximum penalty for an offence under the regulation is £5,000 in a Magistrates' Court.