A Preston construction firm is to be prosecuted after the death of a workman who died after he was crushed by a reversing van outside a cinema.
Painter Carl Green, 45, was working on a project to fit out a new Costa Coffee shop inside the Odeon cinema in Port Way, at Preston Docks, more than two years ago.
He was struck by a reversing Citroen Relay van which was being driven by another man who was also working on the site.
The incident happened on July 27, 2010.
Mr Green, from Chorley, died from his injuries as he arrived at the Royal Preston Hospital.
A post-mortem examination revealed he had died of ‘multiple crush injuries’.
Now the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is taking legal action against EMC Contracts Ltd.
The company, based at Faraday Court, Fulwood, has been charged with breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by failing to ensure the safety of their employees and members of the public from the risk of being struck by reversing vehicles involved in the construction project.
The company is due to appear before Preston Magistrates’ Court on Friday for the first hearing in the case.
Mr Green was walking across the car park of the Chiquito Mexican Grill and Bar in Portway, when tragedy struck.
Witnesses reported how paramedics tried to resuscitate him and a police officer stepped in to drive the ambulance to the Royal Preston Hospital so all members of the ambulance crew could continue the efforts.
However, Mr Green died shortly after arriving at hospital.
In a statement released at the time, his devastated family said: “Carl was tragically taken away from us.
“We are all shocked and devastated.
“He will be sadly missed by his daughter, family and friends.” An inquest was also heard into Mr Green’s death.
Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states: “It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.”
Section 3(1) states: “It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure...that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety.”
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