A Berkshire contractor has been fined £30,000 after a father-of-four was electrocuted.
Levi Alleyne – known as ‘Chunky’ – lost his life while delivering crushed concrete at a construction site in Reading, on 16 November 2020.
Alleyne, 41, was killed after the crane arm of his lorry came into close contact with an overhead power line.
An HSE investigation found principal contractor BBM ordered the delivery and chose the area where the crushed concrete would be delivered – below an 11kv overhead powerline.
The company was aware of the presence of overhead powerlines but did not consider whether there was an alternative way of working which avoided them, nor did it put in place demarcations or warnings. An alternative delivery route was subsequently used following the incident.
BBM Contracts Limited, of Earley, Reading, pleaded guilty to breaching CDM regulations and was fined £30,000 at Reading Magistrates’ Court.
HSE principal inspector Georgina Symons said: “This tragic incident led to the death of a father-of-four. This death might have been prevented if the contractor had correctly identified and managed the risks involved.
“The dangers associated with overhead power lines are well-known and a wealth of advice and guidance is freely available from HSE and other organisations.”
