A BUSINESSMAN has appeared in court charged with health and safety offences after a construction worker died in an accident involving an industrial concrete pump.

Robert Pomphrett and his concrete pumping firm, Robert Pomphrett Limited, are on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court accused of failing to ensure people not under their employment were not exposed to risk.

The charges relate to an incident on August 7, 2015, where owner of Silver Fox Construction Garry Louis, 55, was killed in an industrial accident whilst working on a major upgrade project at a dockyard.

Pomphrett, of Haynes Green Road, Layer Marney, and the company deny the charges.

Valerie Charbit, prosecuting on behalf of the Heath and Safety Executive, said: “This case concerns a tragic incident where Garry Louis was killed at the port of Felixstowe.

“He was laying some cement as part of a work party which also included the defendant, when he was hit by the sudden movement of a hose.

“The force of the air from the hose, which had been moving concrete from a lorry on to the ground, sent cement and a sponge ball flying out of it.

“The force was such it forced the chest of Mr Louis to cave in and his heart to stop beating.”

Paramedics attended but were unable to save Mr Louis’ life.

He was struck with such force, witnesses found his watch around 30 metres from him after the accident.

Ms Charbit said: “We say the company failed to operate and arrange the movement of concrete from a lorry to the ground and ensure it was done in a safe manner.

“We say the defendant failed to reduce the risk of harm to people in the area.

“In fact, Mr Louis was not the only person to be injured. Another person was hit by falling concrete and sustained cuts and bruises.”

The jury was shown CCTV footage of the incident unfolding on the docks captured from the back of a lorry.

Ms Charbit said the company should have set up an “exclusion zone” around the hose.

She said: “We are talking about the difference between life and death. We must not forget, even with lots of training and experience we are all human and we all make mistakes.”

Robert Pomphrett Limited is based in Butt Road, Colchester.

The trial, which could last three weeks, continues.