03.12.18
London Underground and Balfour Beatty prosecuted after worker suffered ‘life-changing’ injuries
London Underground and Balfour Beatty have been fined £100,000 and £333,000 respectively – a total of £433,000 – after both pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws in a prosecution brought by the ORR.
Adrian Rascarache, 36, was struck by a Road Rail Vehicle (RRV) in the early hours on 4 June 2016 and suffered “life-changing” injuries as a result. His lower body was crushed between the vehicle and platform edge of Whitechapel station.
The rail regulator’s investigation that there was no safe system in place that night to address the risk posed by allowing workers to guide RRVs by walking along the track in front of them, despite the fact that both parties were aware of the risks.
Snaresbrook Crown Court also heard that, on the night, workers were not given the required safety briefings as the start of the shift. A signing in procedure was “deliberately bypassed.”
Ian Prosser, chief inspector of railways, said: “Today’s sentences send a clear message that the health and safety of workers must not be compromised. In this instance, corners were cut as a response to perceived time pressure. This is unacceptable and resulted in the terrible injuries suffered by Mr Rascarache.
“The safety of workers is an absolute priority for the ORR and we will take appropriate action against organisations or individuals when failings are found.”
Enjoying RTM? Subscribe here to receive our weekly news updates or click here to receive a copy of the magazine!