Steel firm facing corporate manslaughter charge
Health & Safety update - 6/7/2011
Greater Manchester Police has been advised to charge a steel
company with corporate manslaughter.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed that it has
advised the police department to uphold the charge against the
Manchester-based Lion Steel Ltd.
The charge comes following the death of a male employee in 2008.
Steven Berry fell through a fragile roof panel, suffering severe
injuries. He later died as a result of the fall.
Alongside the charge being levied against the firm, three of
Lion Steel's directors, Graham Coupe, Richard Williams and Kevin
Palliser, will be charged with gross negligence manslaughter.
Coupe, Williams and Palliser will also be prosecuted under
Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for their
failure to ensure the safety of their staff members. Lion Steel
will also be prosecuted for the same failing under Sections 2 and
33 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Reviewing lawyer in the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism
Division, Alison Storey, said, “I have taken this decision after
very carefully reviewing the material gathered in the police
investigation and have concluded that there is sufficient evidence
for a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public
interest to bring these charges.”
Lion Steel Ltd will appear at Tameside Magistrates’ Court on 2
August this year for the first hearing.