Amey Rail Ltd fined £20,000 over death of track worker

30 May 2008
ORR/18/08

A construction company has been fined £20,000 following the death of a railway worker at Acton in west London.

At Acton Magistrates Court yesterday (29 May) Amey Rail Ltd pleaded guilty to charges under Sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, for failing to ensure the safety of its employees, and others who might be affected by its work activities. It was fined £10,000 for each charge, a total of £20,000, and ordered to pay all prosecution costs.
 
The prosecution by the Office of Rail Regulation followed an investigation into the death of track worker Jason Wilkinson. Track renewal work had been taking place on the night of 11 June 2005, when Mr Wilkinson was struck by a passenger train travelling at around 70mph, and fatally injured. He had stepped down from the locomotive cab of an engineering train that had been brought to a stand because a temporary works light was obstructing its path.

Dr Alex Cattan, HM Inspector of Railways for ORR, investigated the accident. Speaking after the hearing he said: “Jason Wilkinson’s death highlights the need for employers to put in place clear health and safety procedures that staff should follow at all times. This fine will sadly not bring Jason back, but it will send a clear message about the importance of health and safety in the workplace.”

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