The owner of a construction company and a safety officer have each been sentenced to nine months in prison in relation to an industrial accident which occurred in 2002.
The accident occurred on November 6th 2002 when a worker fell 14 metres from the roof of a warehouse on the Dos Hermanas industrial estate in Sevilla. The man had placed planks on the roof whilst working but one gave way when he stepped on it. He suffered severe injuries in the fall and died in hospital fifteen days later.
The owner of the company admitted that he had knowingly failed to install safety nets when subcontracting the work and the security officer was aware of this and had consented to the situation. The pair were due to appear in court yesterday to answer criminal charges but the trial was cancelled as both men decided to admit their guilt and accept the recommendations of the prosecutor.
The judge sentenced both men to six months each for negligent homicide and three months for breach of rules on the prevention of occupational hazards. In his oral ruling, the judge also imposed a fine of €540.
In the meantime, the widow and the three young children of the workman have received compensation from the insurance companies.