The company which operates Felixstowe dock has vowed to learn from the death of a trainee docker after being fined £250,000 in court.

Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company, which had admitted failing to secure the health, safety and welfare of its workers, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday.

Judge John Holt ordered the company to pay the fine and costs of more than £27,000 after it was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The company had also admitted not giving trainees enough information on health and safety and not taking adequate preventive or protective measures.

The case was brought following the death of Dennis Burman, 51, from Brantham, on June 17 last year after plunging 140ft from a crane.

Toby Riley-Smith, representing the company, said the failure was an "uncharacteristic slip" in an otherwise good health and safety record.

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Published Thursday, September 9, 2004

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