Herefordshire drinks firm denies role in man's death (From Hereford Times)

Herefordshire drinks firm denies role in man's death

11:24am Tuesday 12th June 2012 in News

A HEREFORDSHIRE drinks firm has denied being responsible for an accident which led to the death of a welder three years ago.

Gordon Docherty fell 30 feet to his death from scaffolding back in October 2009 while working at Universal Beverages’ base in Ledbury.

The firm faces an eight-day trial next year after pleading not guilty to two Health and Safety Executive charges relating to the 51-year-old’s death.

Mr Docherty, a father-of-four from Bristol, was working on site for I.C Electrical when he fell from the scaffolding and was declared dead by paramedics at the scene.

Appearing at Worcester Crown Court yesterday, Universal Beverages denied failing in its duty to ensure the safety of non-employees and of failing to ensure the scaffolding had been properly inspected.

Scaffolding firm Central Roofing and Building Services, trading as Erect-a-Scaffold, admitted two charges.

The firm pleaded guilty to failing to discharge its duty to ensure non-employees, including Mr Docherty, were not at risk and of causing its employee, Jonathan Boden, to carry out an inspection he was not competent to conduct.

Sentence will be passed after Universal Beverages’ trial which is scheduled to start next January.

An inquest jury in Hereford recorded a verdict of accidental death on Mr Docherty last year.