The Dart Maker Blog

A company director Peter Eaton responded to court summons and appeared at Bristol Crown Court today, charged with serious negligence towards the safety of one of the employees. His company, Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings Ltd, is facing court charges under the 2007 Corporate Manslaughter Act - the first time the Act has been invoked.

The Crown Prosecution Service accused the company of manslaughter following the death of one Alexander Wright, a young geologist employed with the company, who was killed in September 2008. He was buried when a trench where he had been taking soil samples caved in.

The court proceedings began today with Eaton confirming his name. He was granted unconditional bail by the Judge Thomas Crowther QC. A plea will be entered in the next hearing to take place before Bristol Crown Court scheduled on 19 August.

Peter Eaton, the company director, faces double charges of gross negligence manslaughter and a violation of Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (’HSWA’).

According to S.37 of HSWA, a senior manager of the company is looked upon as an offender if it can be proved that his consent or connivance or even negligence was in some way responsible for the occurrence of a workplace mishap.

The company also faces charges of breach of Section 2 of HSWA, which requires employers to do everything they can within their means to safeguard the health, security and welfare of employees on duty. Click on IOSH UK, for information on courses to help improve your health and safety management system by teaching you to identify and implement appropriate workplace precautions for specific risks or seek advice on workplace precautions.