The Office of Rail and Road has fined Siemens PLC £1.4m after the company pleaded guilty to an offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 after which an investigation ensued and prosecution by the rail regulator.

The incident happened on the 13th of June 2017 and involved a self-employed contractor working at the company’s Train Care Facility in west London where a 650kg traction motor, which the technician was preparing for removal from an electric locomotive, fell on him, causing his death from fatal crush injuries.

The accident happened or contributing factors lead to its occurrence, due to the failure to put in place a safe system of work for the job being completed.

The Office of Rail and Road’s investigation revealed in task planning which also included the failure to carry out an appropriate task specific risk assessment as well as a lack of clear allocation of responsibility in regard to the supervision of the task.

Her honour Judge Dhir KC passed the sentence at the Central Criminal Court London on Tuesday the 7th of February after the Office of Rail and Roads prosecution.

Judge Dhir KC said: “This was an accident which the defendant ought to have prevented.”

Regarding an explanation to the size of the fine, she also added: “It must be sufficient to bring home the message to management and shareholders, the need to comply with the regulations.”

Ian Prosser, Chief Inspector of Railways, said: “Our thoughts remain with the friends an dfamily of the deceased.”

“A catalogue of basic errors resulted in this tragedy. ORR’s thorough investigation highlighted that it is imperative any work undertaken for Britain’s rail network requires a safety risk assessment appropriate ot the taske and involves staff, who are fully trained, to carry out that task under constant supervision.”

“We hope Siemens have learnt from this and avoid a repeat of this terrible event.”