Cement bosses jailed over worker’s death

Two managers have been sentenced to a total of 21 months in jail following the death of a 28 year old man at a ready mix concrete plant.

Christopher Meachen died on 7th November 2005 after becoming caught in an unguarded slew conveyor which carried aggregate and sand to cement hoppers at the Concrete Company’s Norfolk ready-mix plant.

Norwich Crown Court found Concrete Company managing director Timothy Dighton guilty of manslaughter after he admitted a range of health and safety breaches. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison. Area manager Roy Burrows was handed a nine month sentence.

The Concrete Company was found liable for costs of £89,000 and was fined £75,000.

The investigation into the death was carried out by Norwich CID and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors. They found that the company took a “cavalier” attitude to health and safety.

The court heard that the companied had paid “no regard to safety” and that the death would not have happened had the manager invested £2000 in safety measures.

Det Insp Richard Graveling said: “It is clear that, had the company made remedial safeguards around the conveyor, Mr Meachen would be with us today.

“The investigation has shown that they took a cavalier attitude towards health and safety issues.”

Justin McCracken, HSE deputy chief executive added: “HSE inspectors regularly come across examples of poor health and safety standards at workplaces but the inspectors involved in this case were appalled by the total lack of basic health and safety measures at this company’s site, which directly lead to the fatal incident.

“This case illustrates how things can go tragically wrong when a company disregards legal standards designed to protect workers.”