Prosecutions

Employee A and Employee B were working on a building site in Milton Keynes on April 11 2006, alongside Employee C. All three men were on 40-metre-high scaffolding when it collapsed underneath them.

They fell to the ground and were trapped under rubble until rescue workers could reach them.

Employee A, a father of three, was taken to hospital suffering from serious injuries to his left leg. Three days later he died from a pulmonary embolism, as a result of the damage to his leg.

Employee B suffered a punctured lung, broken vertebra and ribs and significant cuts and bruising in the fall. He was unable to work for a period after the incident.

Employee C suffered serious fractures to his legs and arms and spent a month in hospital recovering. He has undergone a number of operations and has had to re-train as a draftsman.

In Huntingdon Crown Court the principal contractor of the worksite was fined £90,000 and ordered to pay costs of £42,000. The cladder on the site was fined £36,000 and ordered to pay costs of £28,000.

A combination of failures led to the scaffolding collapse. The scaffolding was not strong or stable enough for the work being carried out. Inspection of the scaffold was also inadequate.

Employee A’s widow, said: "He was a kind, caring man who lived for his family. My children and I have not come to terms with his death; we don't understand why it had to happen.

"This incident should never have happened if both companies had ensured the safety of those working for them. Every day I miss him so much - my best friend, my soul mate and my future."