£1.5 million fine unlikely to be paid

A £1.5 million fine has been handed down to Darlington-based structural engineering company Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd following the death of electrician Keith Poppleton in October 2016. He was killed in a fall after an access panel in an overhead crane walkway gave way beneath him. The company pleaded guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1988, and the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

An HSE investigation found the company had failed to maintain the crane walkway’s access panels.

It is unlikely the fine will be paid as the company was wound down last year after administrators failed to find a buyer.