Firm criticised after crush death
Poor health and safety policies were partly to blame for a worker being crushed to death under 40ft steel tubes at a Black Country firm, an inquest jury ruled.
Paul Hopkins, right, aged 34, of Ivyhouse Lane, Coseley, died after suffering multiple injuries when he became trapped at Interpipe in February 2005.
Following a three-day inquest, a jury at Dudley Coroner' s Court yesterday took just an hour to return a verdict of accidental death and rule that the firm contributed to the death.
They said the firm showed a "lack of communication, implementation and enforcement" over health and safety rules and carried out an "inadequate" risk assessment.
It added none of the managers at the firm seemed clear on how to implement responsibilities included in health and safety policy.
Managing director James Major refused to comment after the inquest but told Mr Hopkins' family during the hearing that he took responsibility for what happened.
He added: "I spoke to you at the funeral and you asked if I could bring him back - there is nothing I can do but just make it clear I am truly and deeply sorry."
The inquest heard how it was the second incident in six months involving steel tubes falling onto workers at the company, which moved to Peartree Lane, Dudley, from Budden Road, Coseley, after the death.
One man suffered a crushed foot when bundles of steel pipes were cut open and one landed on him.
But managers at the company were unclear on whether they had improved safety after the injury.
Warehouse manager David Walker said he was only "pretty sure" that staff had been told not to work inside large frames used to contain pipes sometimes measuring 60ft.
Black Country Coroner Mr Robin Balmain told the jury that they could conclude from evidence presented that the company's health and safety policy was "muddled".
By John Brenan
Popular stories:
Model Erin O'Connor interview
Kevin Pietersen slams Cannock
Dining Out archive
Good Samaritan's parking fury letter
School dinners video report
