Commercial director found guilty of manslaughter following tragic death of a worker and sentenced to three years
Anghel Milosavlevici was a worker employed by Siday Construction Ltd, which was contracted to provide building services to a residential property.
This work included the excavation of the basement and the underpinning of the supporting walls. During this work, Anghel Milosavlevici was working in an unsupported trench when the side wall collapsed and he was fatally crushed.
Specialist prosecutor at the CPS, said:
“Anghel Milosavlevici’s tragic death was preventable and inexcusable. While working on the excavation of the house, his safety was the responsibility of Conrad Sidebottom, the commercial director of Siday, and Richard Golding, the independent health and safety consultant contracted to provide advice to Siday.”
“These men did not fulfil their duties, with a haphazard attitude to the safety of the employees working in the house. Their failures led to these tragic consequences, which should never have occurred.”
The jury found Conrad Sidebottom guilty of manslaughter and Richard Golding guilty of exposing another to a risk of health and safety. Conrad Sidebottom was today handed down a sentence of three years, three months and Richard Golding was handed down a sentence of nine months.
An HSE Inspector who supported the joint police and HSE investigation, added:
“Mr Milosavlevici’s tragic death could easily have been avoided had the basement work been better planned and managed by company owner and site manager Conrad Sidebottom. Had all the excavations on site been properly shored and propped the fatal collapse simply would not have happened.”
“In addition, had Richard Golding inspected the site properly during his earlier visits he would have identified both that work wasn’t being carried out in accordance with a written safe system of work, and that the excavations posed a clear risk. By failing in his duty, he allowed unsafe work practices to continue with devastating consequences.”
“Both parties are culpable and their failings are shocking. Anyone involved in basement excavation must recognise the significant dangers that this type of work poses and ensure that safe systems of work are in place at all times. This involves the appointment of a competent temporary works engineer, clear and competent site management, and adequate shoring and propping of excavations.”
