Family left ‘utterly devastated’ after son tragically killed on site

The parents of a 24-year-old man who was killed on site have been left ‘utterly devastated’ after the loss of their “happy-go-lucky” son.

Jack Phillips lost his life on 8 August 2019 while working for Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services UK Ltd at South Cliff Tower in Eastbourne.

His parents, Scot and Nichola, said they are “no longer complete”.

Philips had been assisting while temporary Mast Climber Work Platform sections were being lifted by a lorry mounted crane.

The load fell on top of him when the lifting sling which was attached to the crane snapped.

Scot and Nichola, said in a statement: “How do you put into words the utter devastation you feel?

“Our child, our only son, is dead. Our life, our family’s life has now changed forever. We are no longer complete without Jack, we will never see our baby boy, the boy we nurtured and helped grow into a young man, get married, raise a family, or grow old.”

“His sisters will never have the honour of him being an uncle to their children. We will never have the honour of seeing or meeting his children. Jack was a happy go lucky “Jack the lad”. Everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him, loved him.”

Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services UK Ltd has been fined £1.6 million following the incident.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Sussex Police found that the company, trading as Lyndon SGB, failed to properly plan the lifting operation of the work platform.

The company, a provider of temporary access equipment, had failed to identify a requirement for safe exclusion zones. 

HSE also said the firm also failed to have a “suitable robust system” in place to ensure all accessories had been thoroughly examined or disposed of when expired resulting in out-of-date slings being used.

Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services UK Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. 

The company was fined £1.6 million and ordered to pay £23,193.60 in costs at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 27 November 2024.

HSE principal inspector Ross Carter said: “This tragic death could so easily have been prevented if Jack’s employer had fulfilled its statutory duty to plan and manage the risks associated with lifting equipment and lifting operations.

“Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services UK Ltd failed in its duty of care to all its operatives, including Jack, in the way it planned and implemented the lifting operations and the slack customs and practices it allowed to become part of the safety culture with regard to lifting.”