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Two building firms have been fined a combined total of £350,000 after a foreman died in a tragic work accident in London.
Jack Tangney was working on the development of luxury flats in Battersea when a huge wooden shutter fell on top of him, causing serious personal injuries and killing him instantly.
The 29-year-old had been directing a crane operator as he lifted the shutter, even though he was unqualified for the job, when one of the 3-metre pieces of timber hit a wall, snapped in two and crashed down on top of him.
At an Old Bailey hearing, Mr Tangney's employers, John Doyle Construction, were ordered to pay £250,000, and the main site contractor, Exterior International, were also fined £100,000 after both admitted breaching health and safety laws.
Concluding the work accident court case, Judge Richard Hone said, "This dreadful accident which caused the death of Jack Tangney was avoidable. Everyone knew or should have perceived the increased danger.
"The legislation is there to protect people like him from taking on jobs for which they are not qualified."
Speaking after hearing the result of the work accident trial, Mr Tangney's widow, Anna Saunders, told reporters, "I'm not sure what to think about the fine.
"It doesn't bring a person back and it doesn't necessarily make someone change what they do."
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