Publication date:
Taranto Limited were sentenced today (Monday 30th September 2024) at Newry Crown Court for a health and safety offence, following the death of their employee Matthew Biggerstaff, in Tandragee on 3 August 2021.
The company, who operates in the concrete industry, pleaded guilty to failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and was fined £90,000.
PPS Acting Assistant Director Ruaidhri McAuley said: “This tragic case resulted in 21-year-old Matthew Biggerstaff losing his life whilst working inside a concrete mixing truck drum. Mr Biggerstaff was helping other colleagues to remove concrete that had set and hardened on the interior walls of the drum.
“Prosecutors in the PPS’s Fraud & Departmental Section worked closely with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland to build a robust prosecution case. This resulted in Taranto Limited formally entering a guilty plea and accepting responsibility for the company’s shortcomings in not consulting the manufacturers manual for the concrete mixer and not contacting the manufacturer for advice before Mr Biggerstaff was tasked with cleaning the drum.
“It was also clear that there was no specific risk assessment in respect of any activity that required employees, or others, to enter the interior of the drum, at the time of the incident.
“The PPS is committed to working with our enforcement partners to prosecute alleged health and safety offences, where the Test for Prosecution is met. The outcome of this case must serve as a reminder to employers to implement comprehensive health and safety measures to prevent individuals from being endangered. As a result of this tragic loss of life, the company does not engage in this activity anymore.
“Mr Biggerstaff was a much-loved son, brother, grandson, cousin and nephew who is sorely missed by all those that knew him. I hope the conclusion of this case will help them to move forward as they continue to try to cope with their loss.”
Notes to editors
1. All decisions by the PPS are taken strictly in accordance with the Test for Prosecution which involves two stages. The Test for Prosecution is met if, in relation to an identifiable suspect, the available evidence is sufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of a conviction (the Evidential Test) and if prosecution is in the public interest (the Public Interest Test). The Evidential Test must be passed first before the Public Interest Test is considered. Further information can be found in the PPS Code for Prosecutors.
2. Media queries for the PPS should be referred to the Communications Unit by emailing ppspressoffice@ppsni.gov.uk inside office hours. The out of hours press officer can be contacted on 07920 271804, 07920 418844 or 07341 800254.