Javaid Iqbal, a 29-year-old father of three, was employed by London-based KK Security Services Ltd as a security guard on a construction site in Leigh, Wigan. KK Security was subcontracted by Veritas Security (Southern) Ltd, a Southampton-based company, despite it being written into the contract from the client that no subcontracting would take place.
Liverpool Magistrates鈥� Court heard that during the early hours of 6th December 2014, the site鈥檚 generator failed in sub-zero temperatures and in an attempt to keep warm Mr Iqbal lit some barbecue coals in a wheelbarrow, which he placed in a 20-foot steel container used as the site office. Mr Iqbal was found dead by police a few hours later having died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
The court also heard that Mr Iqbal had made a number of attempts to re-start the site generator and had sought assistance from both his employers but neither had provided any meaningful assistance to him.
A Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that KK Securities Limited failed to provide a management system to protect the welfare and safety of their employees, particularly lone workers. No real provision had been made by the company for emergency support, the only option open to Mr Iqbal being to ring his employer who was hundreds of miles away and could offer no practical assistance.
The investigation also found Veritas Security (Southern) Limited failed to put proper arrangements in place with the site occupier for emergency situations outside office hours, such as a loss of power or heating.
HSE principal inspector Neil Jamieson said after the hearing: 鈥淢r Iqbal should have been required to ring and speak to his company every hour or have some form of panic button. His calls were not being monitored.聽Instead of this he was simply required to text in every hour stating that all was well.
鈥淭his tragic death could have been so easily avoided had either KK Securities Limited or Veritas Security (Southern) Limited made adequate arrangement to regularly check on聽Mr Iqbal鈥檚 welfare during the quiet hours.聽 Instead, it appears he was left to fend for himself.鈥�
KK Security Services Ltd, of One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined 拢8,000 with 拢4,854 costs.
Veritas Security (Southern) Ltd, of St Anne Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined 拢8,000聽 with 拢6,220聽 costs.
Both parties were also required to pay an additional 拢120 victims surcharge.
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
