Builders deny health and safety breaches at Plymouth site

A BUILDING company has denied breaching health and safety regulations leading to a worker being seriously injured on a construction site.

JB Leadbitter is being prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive for allegedly failing to protect a sub-contractor who suffered severe head injuries in an accident.

The company is said to have failed in its duty to ensure that a pedestrian not in its employment was protected from risks to his health and safety from moving vehicles at the Mount Wise site on October 7, 2010.

Managing director SteveBurgess attended Plymouth Crown Court and entered a not guilty plea through his barrister.

David Windsor, from Bristol and then aged 46, was injured at the "Village by the Sea" development in Cumberland Road. The court heard he was working on foot at the site when he was hit by a vehicle.

Police said at the time he was taken to Derriford Hospital with serious head injuries.

A joint investigation was launched by the Devon and Cornwall force and the HSE, but police later said there would be no criminal charges.

The site, where homes, a hotel, shops and offices are being developed in a £120 million scheme at the former Royal Navy base, was closed temporarily after the accident.

Judge Paul Darlow set down a five-day trial to begin on October 7.