A BUILDING company boss from Bolton has been fined £7,500 following the death of a worker who was struck by the excavator bucket on a digger.

Barry Godliman, of Exford Drive, Breightmet, together with business partner Robert Watson, appeared at Manchester Crown Court for sentencing six years after the death of the worker.

John Cain, aged 36, was working on a project to demolish the Albert Park Inn in Great Clowes Street, Salford, on November 22, 2004, when he was hit by the bucket on a digger. He died from his injuries later that day.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted two individuals and one company for health and safety offences following an investigation into Mr Cain’s death.

They were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Friday — the day Mr Cain would have celebrated his 42nd birthday.

The business partners were the principal contractors on the site, and Windmill Demolition Company Ltd was a specialist subcontractor hired to carry out the demolition work.

Godliman and Watson, of Perrymead, Prestwich, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974, by failing to ensure the safety of workers on the site.

They were fined £7,500 each and ordered to pay £2,000 towards prosecution costs.

Windmill Demolition, of Windmill Lane in Denton, was found guilty of the same offence following a trial at Manchester Crown Court in July. The company was fined £15,000 with no costs.

Karen Doran, Mr Cain’s expartner and the mother of his three young daughters, said: “It’s been very hard for the children coping with what happened as they’re still very young. It’s been like an open wound.

“Hopefully, now that those responsible for health and safety on the site have been punished, we’ll be able to put this behind us and get on with our lives.”

HSE Inspector Stuart Kitchingman said: “This case demonstrates how important it is for contractors to be aware of their health and safety duties, especially when there are several companies working on a project.

“Barry Godliman and Robert Watson were the principal contractors on the site and so should have made sure all work was carried out safely. Windmill Demolition had been hired to oversee and carry out the demolition work, and so had responsibilities for managing safety as well.

“I hope this case will encourage construction companies to do more to manage health and safety on sites effectively.