Ashburton Grove stadium construction workers prosecuted following accident injury

Three construction companies working on Arsenal's Ashburton Grove stadium have been prosecuted after an accident injury left a man with one leg.

Michael O'Donovan from Bromley had to have his leg amputated after it was run over by a dumper truck when he was kneeling down. His pelvis was also shattered during the incident.

Principal contractor Sir Robert McAlpine Limited was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as were sub-contractors McNicholas Plc (now Skanska Utilities Ltd) and Maylim Limited.

An investigation by the HSE revealed that all three firms had failed to ensure that vehicles and pedestrians were segregated while onsite.

Loraine Charles, HSE inspector, stated: "Traffic needs to be managed effectively on all construction sites.

"Had proper controls been in place, this appalling incident would never have happened."

Sir Robert McAlpine Limited was prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £19,000 and ordered to pay costs of £10,000.

Skanska Utilities Limited and Maylim Limited were fined £17,000 and £18,000 respectively and both had to pay £10,000 in costs.

Numerous accidents on construction sites are the result of the failure of employers to properly partition driving and pedestrian thoroughfares.

Often, inappropriate reversing equipment also results in accident injury claims on construction sites.

Published by Jessica Shervin