A company has been fined £1.6 million following the tragic death of 24-year-old Jack Phillips, who was fatally injured on August 8, 2019, while working for Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services UK Ltd at South Cliff Tower in Eastbourne.
Jack was assisting with the lifting of temporary Mast Climber Work Platform sections using a lorry-mounted crane when the lifting sling attached to the crane snapped, causing the load to crush him.
An investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Sussex Police revealed significant safety failings by Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services UK Ltd, trading as Lyndon SGB. The company, which provides temporary access equipment, failed to properly plan the lifting operation, including implementing safe exclusion zones. Furthermore, a robust system to ensure lifting accessories were thoroughly examined or disposed of when expired was not in place. As a result, outdated slings were used during the operation.
Parents’ Heart breaking Tribute
Jack’s parents, Scot and Nichola Phillips, described their devastation in a statement:
“How do you put into words the utter devastation you feel? Our child, our only son, is dead. Our life, our family’s life has now changed forever. We are no longer complete without Jack. We will never see our baby boy, the boy we nurtured and helped grow into a young man, get married, raise a family, or grow old.
“His sisters will never have the honour of him being an uncle to their children. We will never have the honour of seeing or meeting his children. Jack was a happy-go-lucky ‘Jack the lad.’ Everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him loved him.”
Court Ruling
Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services UK Ltd, based in Leatherhead, Surrey, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £1.6 million and ordered to pay £23,193.60 in costs at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on November 27, 2024.
HSE Principal Inspector Ross Carter commented on the case:
“This tragic incident led to the wholly avoidable death of a young man. This death could so easily have been prevented if Jack’s employer had fulfilled its statutory duty to plan and manage the risks associated with lifting equipment and operations.
“Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services UK Ltd failed in its duty of care to all its operatives, including Jack, by neglecting to plan and implement safe lifting practices and allowing lax customs and practices to undermine the safety culture.”
Safety Guidance
The HSE encourages employers to follow regulations outlined in the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) to prevent similar incidents.
This prosecution was handled by HSE enforcement lawyer Alan Hughes, supported by HSE paralegal officer Helen Jacob.
