Building firm denies allegations in HSE prosecution
A building company with its head office in Oxfordshire has denied allegations that it breached health and safety regulations in an incident that led to the serious injury of a worker.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) made the decision to prosecute JB Leadbitter after a sub-contractor suffered serious head injuries when working on a development in Plymouth known as the ‘Village by the Sea’. The worker, David Windsor, was reportedly hit by a vehicle when working on foot at the site. Mr Windsor, who was 46 at the time of the accident, was taken to Derriford Hospital for treatment.
Following the incident, the HSE investigated the incident alongside the Devon and Cornwall Police Force. The police said there would be no criminal charges made against the company, but the HSE decided to prosecute over allegations that the company failed in its duty to protect employees from risks presented by moving vehicles.
At Plymouth Crown Court, JB Leadbitter’s managing director Steve Burgess denied that the company had breached health and safety regulations by entering a plea of ‘not guilty’. The case will be heard in a five-day trial in October 2013.