Health & Safety

AFE Group Ltd

Represented AFE Group Ltd in a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (“HSE”) following a fatal incident in December 2017 at a private hospital. Our client was contracted to repair a food waste disposal unit which had been installed by a co-defendant company and designed and manufactured by a third. Our client’s employee attended the site to carry out repairs when he received a fatal electric shock. The trial involved several complex issues, multiple electrical safety and systems experts and a large volume of documentation. AFE Group Ltd was the only defendant to be acquitted of all the charges it faced.

Grenfell Tower

Daniel Irving led the team which represented a core participant to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. In his first job after university he was tasked with putting Celotex’s insulation product through fire tests to demonstrate its suitability for use on high-rises. Playing a prominent role in an extremely high-profile Inquiry, it was important to ensure he was thoroughly prepared, not only to provide him with the platform to give his best evidence, but also to deal with the associated media attention.

District council

A district council instructed Birketts to advise them in relation to their investigation into a death of young employee, who was crushed by a fork-lift whilst lone working. Expert examination revealed the forklift involved had a significant safety feature disabled. Julie Gowland advised the client in relation to their investigation, interviews under caution, inquest proceedings and subsequent prosecution. Matthew Gowen, acting as counsel, conducted the inquest and ultimately the prosecution of two companies.

Large housing developer

Advising a large housing developer, who as the principal contractor on a construction project are being investigated following the death of a contractor, during a demolition operation. We have advised during the HSE investigation and now at inquest.