Jack Tangney, a 29 year old from New Zealand died when a large timber panel fell to the ground and struck him. The panel was being lifted from the ground to the ninth floor at Albion Riverside Development, in Battersea, London on the 6 August 2002.

Tangey’s employer, John Doyle Construction pleaded guilty to contravening sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Herts and Exterior International Plc, the principal contractors on site was fined £100,000 after pleading guilty to contravening section 3(1).

Speaking after the case, Emma Davies of the Health and Safety Executive said: “The risk of serious injury, or worse from badly planned lifting operations is well known in the industry; as are the measures needed to manage them. Had these construction companies carried out an appropriate risk assessment, Mr Tangey would be alive today. This avoidable incident is an example of how badly things can go wrong when lifting operations are not planned or supervised properly.”