Steel specialist William Hare has been fined £75,000 by the Health and Safety Executive after the death of one of its workers on a building site in April 1998
The HSE prosecuted the firm after the accident occurred during the construction of an extension to the Imperial War Museum at Lambeth Road, south London.

Two steel erectors, Brian Knights and Richard Bartram fell 13 m from the steelwork of the extension. Bartram landed on the decked-out floor below and managed to escape serious injury but Knights fell to the ground and was killed.

The men had been standing on a wooden staging board resting on two steel beams, attempting to retrieve a ladder, when it became unbalanced and tipped them off.

William Hare pleaded guilty to a breach of section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, for failing to ensure the safety of its employees.

HSE inspector Alec Ferguson said the accident could have been avoided if the firm had a safe system with suitable supervision.

He said: "This dreadful accident has highlighted the need for the most detailed planning and preparation for high-risk activities such as steel erection."