£1.6m fine after 24 year old lost life in accident
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Tragic Fatality of Jack Phillips Highlights Failures in Workplace SafetyOn 8 August 2019, Jack Phillips tragically lost his life while working for Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services UK Ltd on the South Cliff Tower project in Eastbourne.
The 27-year-old was assisting with the lifting of temporary Mast Climber Work Platform sections using a lorry-mounted crane when disaster struck.
A lifting sling attached to the crane snapped, causing the load to fall on Phillips. Despite immediate efforts, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Investigation Uncovers Serious Safety Failures
The joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Sussex Police revealed multiple safety breaches by Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services UK Ltd, trading as Lyndon SGB:
- Improper Planning: The lifting operation lacked a robust safety plan, including a failure to establish exclusion zones to protect workers.
- Inadequate Equipment Checks: The company failed to implement a system to ensure lifting accessories were thoroughly examined or discarded when expired. This led to the use of out-of-date slings, ultimately causing the accident.
Family’s Heartbreaking Loss
Jack’s parents, Scot and Nichola Phillips, expressed the devastating impact of their loss:
“How do you put into words the utter devastation you feel? Our child, our only son, is dead. Our life, our family’s life has now changed forever. We are no longer complete without Jack.”
They reflected on the milestones Jack will never reach, such as getting married, starting a family, or becoming an uncle to his sisters’ children. Describing him as a “happy-go-lucky Jack the lad,” they emphasized the profound void left by his absence.
Legal Outcome and Company Response
At Brighton Magistrates’ Court, Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services UK Ltd, based in Leatherhead, Surrey, pleaded guilty to safety breaches. The company was fined £1.6 million and ordered to pay £23,193.60 in costs.
Centin Baxter, Vice President of Lyndon SGB, stated:
“We deeply regret this tragic accident, and our condolences remain with Jack’s family and friends. While rare, one incident is too many. We have already taken steps to address HSE’s recommendations, ensuring our safety procedures are rigorously followed across all sites.”
HSE’s Call for Accountability
HSE Principal Inspector Ross Carter described the incident as a “wholly avoidable death,” stating:
“This tragedy could have been prevented if Brand Energy had fulfilled its statutory duty to plan and manage the risks associated with lifting operations. The company’s lack of care and slack safety practices directly contributed to Jack’s death.”
Lessons Learned
This devastating case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous safety protocols in the construction and infrastructure industries. Employers must:
- Conduct thorough risk assessments for lifting operations.
- Regularly inspect and replace safety-critical equipment.
- Foster a strong safety culture to prevent avoidable incidents.
Jack Phillips’s untimely death underscores the human cost of neglecting workplace safety and the need for companies to prioritize the welfare of their employees above all else.
