Corus fined £240k over worker's death
Steel firm Corus has been ordered to pay more than £352,000 following a worker's death at its plant in Staffordshire. Ross Beddow, aged 22, of Netherton, was killed instantly when he was trapped under three tons of metal.
Steel firm Corus has been ordered to pay more than £352,000 following a worker's death at its plant in Staffordshire. Ross Beddow, aged 22, of Netherton, was killed instantly when he was trapped under three tons of metal.
The accident happened at the Corus factory, in Bridgnorth Road, Wombourne. Corus (UK) Ltd admitted breaching health and safety rules during a hearing at Stafford Crown Court.
The firm was fined £240,000 and ordered to pay £112,500 court costs following Mr Beddow's death.
Recorder Mr Simon Tonking said: "This was a terrible and tragic incident and by the plea of guilty Corus has accepted its responsibility.
"Everyone in this court should try to understand the depth of his family's grief."
Corus yesterday pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at work act — ensuring that persons not in their employment were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.
Mr Beddow, of Cradley Road, Netherton, was employed as a sub contractor by Brierley Hill-based A. Hingley Transport Ltd.
His role was a 'shunter' helping to load trucks and lorries with steel before they were transported off site.
Mr Bernard Thorogod, prosecuting on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive, said Mr Beddow had been standing on a trailer when the accident happened.
Mr Thorogod said steel plates were being loaded onto the lorry trailer by a crane operated by Corus employee Adrian Jones when one of the three ton packs slipped.
Mr Beddow fell from the trailer as the pack slipped towards him and was trapped when the metal landed on top of him, Stafford Crown Court heard.
He had been at the firm four months when the accident happened in January 2007, the court heard.
Mr Charles Feeny, defending Corus, said the firm wished to apologise to Mr Beddow's family.
"Corus believed that the system was reasonably safe and they had good grounds to think that," he said.
"They had carried out risk assessments. They had a system of work that had been in operation for many years."
Mr Beddow left a mother Sandra, father Brian and brother Brett.
