Company set for November trial over death of Walsall roofer at warehouse
A company is set for a trial over failed health and safety regulations concerning the death of a roofer at a Walsall warehouse.
Adam Brunskill, aged 22, fell through glass-wire on the roof of Bestway Wholesale in Bloxwich Lane near Reedswood to his death on July 14, 2020.
Bishop Auckland firm Wayne Clarey Roofing and Cladding Ltd and Rotherham-based company Proclad were both charged with breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Proclad pleaded guilty two years ago at Dudley Magistrates Court to failing to discharge health and safety duties towards persons other than employees for the job at the Bloxwich Road Industrial Estate warehouse.
The company has yet to be sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court and will have to await the for the outcome of the Wayne Clarey Roofing and Cladding Ltd trial.
That company has pleaded not guilty to four counts of breaking workplace health and safety regulations after training or the proper equipment was not provided.
The trial will be held on November 11 at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Yesterday at a pre-trial review Judge Simon Ward told Clarey, who appeared via video link with his solicitor, the next time he is in court will be November.
He said: "I am glad both sides seem to be ready for the trial, and the next time the defendant will be in court will be the start of the trial."
At the inquest at Black Country Coroners Court in 2021 Coroner Joanna Lees recorded a jury verdict of accidental death. Mr Brunskill sustained a severe brain injury and died the following day, on July 15, 2020, in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. Mr Brunskill, a first team rugby player at Bishop Auckland Rugby Club, had received no accredited training prior to beginning work, the inquest heard.
