The case referred to an incident in March 2008 when whilst walking in the Vauxhall area of London, Olivia Richardson was struck by a section from a wooden sign that was blown down by a strong gust of wind.
She was hospitalised for five weeks and required significant brain surgery—which led to her having to leave her job, as well having to deal with permanent damage from the incident.
St George South London, agent of site owner St George, and the sign-maker, A E Tyler—then trading as Allsigns—were prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The Judge ruled the sign was ‘supremely hazardous’ and more should have been done to ensure its safety”
Last month, the Old Bailey in London fined St George South London £300,000 and £222,692 costs, and A E Tyler £60,000 with £22.855 costs.
The Old Bailey heard parts of the timber sign had decayed to a point where it could be blown down by wind, whilst a HSE investigation found the sign had a design life of two years—but had been in place for nine years, without any check for structural soundness.
The Judge ruled the sign was ‘supremely hazardous’ and more should have been done to ensure its safety.
AE Tyler admitted its guilt at the first opportunity in 2011, but denied having lasting duty over the sign’s lifetime.
It provides a salutary lesson for everyone involved in either making or buying signs”
The Judge ruled A E Tyler was guilty of not informing St George South London of the sign’s temporary nature and of the subsequent dangers.
In response to the verdict, BSGA chairman David Catanach has confirmed the BSGA’s Technical Committee is now working with A E Tyler staff to add an additional clause covering sign maintenance for BS 559—the British Standard that governs sign-making and installation. This has been accepted in principle by the BSI.
“It provides a salutary lesson for everyone involved in either making or buying signs,” Catanach says, adding: “It is a lesson learned by A E Tyler.”
The current management team is determined to do everything possible to ensure that such an incident never happens again as a result of the company’s work”
Mike Freely, current managing director at A E Tyler, adds: “In the five years since this incident, our entire health, safety, quality and training procedures have been carefully reviewed and we have taken significant steps to ensure that a similar situation does not arise in the future.
“The current management team is determined to do everything possible to ensure that such an incident never happens again as a result of the company’s work.”
Catanach also confirmed St George has become a member of the BSGA as a result of the accident, and will insist all of its sign contractors join as well.
