A MAN who was crushed to death at work was not supervised and trained in safety procedures, it has been revealed.

Raymond Holmes, 59, of Rayleigh, died from multiple injuries when an excavator reversed into him as he cleaned a large sand filter bed in Walthamstow, for Thames Water.

Serious failings by Thames Water have now been revealed, including the fact no one was required to wear hi-visibility clothing and the excavator involved was not equipped with effective rear view mirrors or any form of reversing aid or alarm.

A lengthy investigation into Mr Holmes’ death, by the Health and Safety Executive, found Thames Water recognised the need for measures to reduce the risk of collision between machinery and workers, but the company failed to implement them on the day.

Those working in the sand beds, including Mr Holmes, had also received no formal instruction or supervision to ensure they understood the safe systems of work.

Thames Water was fined £300,000 and ordered to pay a further £61,229 in costs after pleading guilty to a single breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act at Southwark Crown Court.

Health and Safety Executive inspector Nick Patience said: “Raymond Holmes sadly lost his life because basic safety standards were not in place to protect him and other workers.

“Working alongside mobile plant can be extremely dangerous, and it is vital that effective control measures are in place at all times to ensure collisions are avoided.

“Although Thames Water had identified the potential risks, the company failed to ensure the necessary precautions and safe systems of work were in place, understood by all and monitored on that fateful day.”

It has taken four years for Thames Water to be brought to justice, after the Crown Prosecution Service decided against placing workplace manslaughter charges earlier this year.

It passed the case on to the Health and Safety Executive, which brought charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

A spokesman for Mr Holmes’ trade union Waltham Forest Trades Council said the Health and Safety Executive should have carried out pro-active inspections to check working conditions.

He said: “What is so sad about this case is Raymond’s death was easily predictable and preventable.

“After the incident a member of the Health and Safety Executive’s investigating team reportedly said they would have shut the site down if they’d visited before the fatal incident.

“The Government continues to insist health and safety protections are a burden on business but, as this case illustrates, the awful burden is in reality borne by the deceased’s family and friends.”