Company fined over Albert Embankment deaths

John Laing Services Limited was on Friday fined a total of £175,000 and ordered to pay £40,000 costs at Southwark Crown Court after pleading guilty to a breach of health and safety legislation which led to two deaths during construction work at Alembic House in May 1995.

Anthony Fear and Roy Anderson were dismantling a mast climbing work platform at a height of about 45 feet when it overturned; both men fell to the ground, receiving fatal injuries.

The case was brought by the Health and Safety Executive (which is based at the southern end of Southwark Bridge). HSE Principal Inspector Tony Hetherington said after the case: "This tragic accident illustrates the importance of thinking through the implications of changing plant and working methods. When adjusting method statements and operating procedures, everyone affected by the changes should know of the implications and be able to work safely."

• Peninsula Heights