Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2015

Codrut Iederan

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, written 3 Dec 2015. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report3 Dec 2015
DeceasedCodrut Iederan
CoronerMe Hassell
Coroner areaLondon Inner (North)
CategoryAccident at Work and Health and Safety related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

The report

Text extracted from the PDF text layer. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

Regulation 28:  Prevention of Future Deaths report 

Codrut IEDERAN (died 03.12.14) 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1.  Mr Brendan Bacon 

Director 
Zelltec Limited 
41 Brownfields 
Welwyn Garden City 
Hertfordshire   
AL7 1AN 

1 

CORONER 

I am:   Coroner ME Hassell 
           Senior Coroner  
           Inner North London 
           St Pancras Coroner’s Court 
           Camley Street 
           London  N1C 4PP 

2 

CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS 

I make this report under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009,  
paragraph 7, Schedule 5, and  
The Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, 
regulations 28 and 29. 

3 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

On  5  December  2015,  one  of  my  assistant  coroners,  Richard  Brittain, 
commenced  an  investigation  into  the  death  of  Codrut  Iederan,  aged  30 
years.  The  investigation  concluded  at  the  end  of  the  inquest  on  23 
November 2014.    The  determination  made at  inquest  by  the  jury  was  of 
accidental death. 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Just before 9am on 3 December 2014, whilst working at the  Anchor and 
Hope Public House construction site, Mr Iederan pushed an unstable wall 
which then collapsed on him.  

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 

CORONER’S CONCERNS 

During  the  course  of  the  inquest,  the  evidence  revealed  matters  giving 
rise to concern. In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths will occur 
unless  action  is  taken.  In  the  circumstances,  it  is  my  statutory  duty  to 
report to you. 

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows.  

I heard at inquest that the site manager for the Anchor and Hope Public 
House construction was the site first aider, but he was off site at the time 
of the fatal accident.  The remaining four workers were all Romanian non 
native English speakers, and none was first aid trained.   

Mr  Iederan  had  the  best  English  of  the  four,  but  of  course  after  the 
accident  he  was  not  in  a  position  to  help  himself.    When  one  of  his 
colleagues  tried  to  call  an  ambulance,  he  realised  that  he  did  not  know 
the number.  He asked a passer by and so no time was lost in this case.  
However,  when  I  asked  him  in  court  if  he  now  knew  the  number,  some 
eleven  months  after  Mr  Iederan’s  death,  he  did  not,  despite  still  being 
employed by Zelltec. 

I  am  conscious  that  many  construction  sites  in  London  are  heavily 
supported  by  foreign  workers.    It  seems  to  me  that  it  would  be  of  great 
assistance  if  employers  and  site  managers  were  to  ensure  that  all 
members of their workforce were able to summon help in an emergency.  
In  addition  to  signs  (perhaps  in  languages  other  than  English)  with  the 
999 number displayed clearly, this could be covered in toolbox talks – of 
course how it is done is of course a matter for you. 

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In  my  opinion,  action  should  be  taken  to  prevent  future  deaths  and  I 
believe  that  you  and  your  organisation  have  the  power  to  take  such 
action.  

7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date 
of this report, namely by 1 February 2016.  I, the coroner, may extend the 
period. 

Your  response  must  contain  details  of  action  taken  or  proposed  to  be 
taken,  setting  out  the  timetable  for  action.  Otherwise  you  must  explain 
why no action is proposed. 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 

COPIES and PUBLICATION 

I have sent a copy of my report to the following. 

  HHJ Peter Thornton QC, the Chief Coroner of England & Wales  
  Health and Safety Executive 
 

, partner of Codrut Iederan 

I  am  also  under  a  duty  to  send  the  Chief  Coroner  a  copy  of  your 
response.  

The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted 
or summary form. He may send a copy of this report to any person who 
interest.  You  may  make 
he  believes  may 
representations to me, the Senior Coroner, at the time of your response, 
about  the  release  or  the  publication  of  your  response  by  the  Chief 
Coroner. 

it  useful  or  of 

find 

9 

DATE                                                   SIGNED BY SENIOR CORONER 

03.12.15 

3

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