Mistakes can be costly, and at times they can turn out to be fatal. The Reading Crown Court slapped McLaren with a penalty of $800,000 after they found them guilty of a mistake that took the life of an inspector. What was the mistake that McLaren made? And has McLaren learned from it? 

David Oldham used to work for Zurich Management Services and he had the task of inspecting a mobile structure taken by Mclaren to the Grand Prix. The inspection took place back in 2016, in a warehouse in Maidenhead. Unfortunately, while inspecting the ceilings of the structure, Oldham fell off a bare edge. They rushed the inspector to a hospital nearby but unfortunately passed away a day later at the John Radcliffe Hospital. Oldham was 55 years old when he passed away and many described him as an “experienced inspector” several times during the court hearings.

The court announced the judgment against McLaren on 31st March. They found Zak Brown and Co. guilty of health and safety charges pertaining to Oldham’s death. As a result, they fined McLaren $800000. Oldham’s family is grieving due to the aftermath of McLaren’s carelessness. Saffron Turnell, a Health and Safety Executive inspector, believes the number one reason for the deaths of inspectors like Oldham is the risk involved in working at heights. The falls can be deadly, and those responsible for ensuring safety in Oldham’s case failed to do so. 

According to bbc.com, Saffron Turnell said, “Work at height is a high-risk activity and falls can result in life-changing injuries and death. It’s the number one reason why people like David didn’t get home from work.” Further adding, “Those responsible to ensure his health and safety failed to do so.”

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Alex Stein, from the prosecuting counsel, mentioned how McLaren services updated its health and safety policy in December 2016 after Oldham’s death in October 2016. He further went on to explain how they could’ve avoided the accident and Oldham’s family wouldn’t be in such a dreadful situation.

David Oldham’s family left in a crisis after the tragedy

It is difficult when someone close to us passes away, let alone when it is in an untimely manner. David Oldham’s wife Patricia explained what it’s like. Despite 6 years passing since the incident, Patricia still isn’t able to sleep at night. She explains how lonely she got and that she feels like a burden on her family. Not only she but the children and grandchildren have also been affected. 

According to bbc.com, Patricia said, “I am especially lonely and I feel like a burden to all my family. I miss my husband so much. The pain breaks my heart. Every night I say goodnight to David and every morning I expect to have him still beside me. My darling husband’s life was taken away from him. On the same day, my life ended too.”

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Could McLaren have avoided the accident? Is the fine and punishment enough?