JCB hit with massive double death fine

JCB has been fined more than £450,000 following the death of two employees in ‘preventable’ circumstances.

JCB Earthmovers Limited was fined £200,000 at Stafford Crown Court last week following the death of welder Darren Ellis, 33, in Cheadle on 16 November 2005.

Mr Ellis was testing the fuel tank of an earth moving machine for leaks when he incorrectly connected a high pressure air-line, causing the inspection plate to blow off.

He died of fatal head injuries. The court was told Mr Ellis did not have enough training for the job.

JC Bamford Excavators Limited was also fined £266,000 and ordered to pay court costs for a similar breach following the death of Paul McNamara at Rocester, Staffordshire on 11 September 2006.

Mr McNamara was crushed by the boom of an excavating machine.

Health and Safety Executive Inspector Lynne Boulton said both companies pleaded guilty and that the deaths were entirely preventable.

She said: “All employers must learn from these tragedies that, whatever the task, it is crucial to undertake a suitable risk assessment that deals with the significant risks of that task,” she said.