Cradle manufacturer Apollo Cradles have been ordered to pay £160,000 in fines and costs after a worker was killed and three others injured when the cradle they were on collapsed.
The incident occurred when a bracket gave way, causing the suspended platform to fall 10 metres.
The court heard that the Apollo Cradle platform had been hanging off the side of a building for 13 months without a strip-down examination and that a winch would jam several times a day, making the cradle jolt. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the bracket was corroded, bolt holes were worn and incorrect bolts had been used.
HSE principal inspector Dave Redman said that, "By failing to operate an effective maintenance regime and to properly examine the condition of the cradle, Apollo Cradles betrayed the trust of workers whose lives depended on them. Added to this, the workers were required by their employer, Bradway Construction, to carry out painting and maintenance at height in a cradle without any training or instruction as to its safe use."
Bradway Construction, who admitted failing to ensure the men's safety, must also pay a total of £43,000.
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