Bouygues fined £160,000 after worker killed by reversing vehicle

Bouygues has been fined £160,000 after a worker was struck and killed by a reversing vehicle.

The death follows an incident on 3 June 2005 when the worker crossed a one-way traffic route while carrying materials from a storage area on a building site in Barking where Bouygues was building additional teaching accommodation for Eastbury School.

It is not clear what type of vehicle was involved in the accident.

Bouygues, based in east London, pleaded guilty to sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The contractor was fined £160,000 and ordered to pay £21,698.20 costs at Snaresbrook Crown Court yesterday.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Sandy Carmichael said: "This tragic case highlights the risks from workplace transport. Every year a significant number of people are killed by moving vehicles on construction sites, and a larger number injured.

"Better training, planning and awareness would reduce a number of these incidents. But equally, if not more important, is that managers and directors make sure that someone is checking that control measures are in place and being used."