A
N ENTERTAIN-
MENTS giant has
been fined �40,000
after one of its workers was
crushed by a ten-pin bowling
machine.
Father of one Ferdinand de la Cruz,
34, was killed as he was cleaning the
mechanism at the Hollywood Bowl in
Beckton almost four years ago.
An investigation found the owners of
the alley, Mitchells and Butler Retail,
had not installed a guard that could
have saved the East Ham technician.
The company, which also owns the
likes of O'Neill's, All Bar One and
Edward's, pleaded guilty to a breach of
health and safety regulations and was
sentenced last week by London Crown
Court.
Judge Robert Fraser, presiding, said:
"This is a particularly sad case given
the death of Mr de la Cruz.
"You accept that the company is
at fault over the death and have
made changes to the guarding of the
machinery."
Mitchells and Butler Retail said the
tragedy had proved a watershed
moment for the safety of ten-pin
bowling machines.
Since it happened back in July 2006,
the company has developed a new
bowling machine with guarding in
place and spent �2 million installing
the system in all but two of its 22 UK
outlets. The Beckton site has since
closed after the accident.
The prosecution was brought by
Newham Council, which vowed to deal
"robustly" with any violation of health
and safety rules.
Speaking outside court, Clly Andrew
Baikie added: "The council welcomes
Judge Fraser's decision to impose a
fine on the company for its failure to
protect a father who was killed doing
his job so he could provide for his
family, and our thoughts are with them
at this time."
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Our city... your Docklands www.docklands24.co.uk
By JOHN HYDE
john.hyde@archant.co.uk
�40k fine for man's
bowling alley death
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Peregrine
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Peregrine
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Peregrine
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Peregrine
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Retail powerhouse accepts fault over worker's fatal accident
Peregrine
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AChichesterperegrine.PhotobyDavidShaw.
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