Greater London Authority were fined £250,000 due to their severe failings in safety management after a man was crushed when an advertising hoarding fell onto him.
The incident was witnessed by the victims wife and two children.
The victim suffered serious head and facial injuries including a fractured eye socket and titanium plates inserted into his cheek bones. The whole family was affected by the accident.
GLAP employed a company to maintain the wall but failed to oversee the contract properly resulting in the wall not being adequately maintained.
A crack had developed in the wall which weakened it, and the hoarding was like a sail in strong winds.
GLA Land and Property Ltd (GLAP) pleaded guilty under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined a total of £250,000 and ordered to pay £14,653 in costs.
Shoddy maintenance was to blamed by HSE inspector Ian Shearring who stated: “A set of simple arrangements to inspect and maintain the wall would have picked up on the imminent danger to any passer-by.”
