Balfour Beatty Group Limited has pleaded not guilty to health and safety offences following a worker fatality at AWE’s Aldermaston nuclear site.

The firm appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning for a prosecution instigated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the UK’s independent nuclear regulator.

The charges relate to an incident which occurred at the Aldermaston site in West Berkshire on 6 July 2023 when Stuart Cook, 58, a construction worker from East London, died after sustaining fatal injuries.

Balfour Beatty Group Limited entered a not guilty plea to failing to discharge its duty to ensure the health and safety of its employee Stuart Cook, in relation to the risks arising from construction work, under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Section 2(1).

The company also entered a not guilty plea to failing to discharge its duty to ensure that those not in its employment but whom may have been affected were not thereby exposed to risks to their health and safety, in relation to the risks arising from construction work, under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Section 3(1).

The trial date has not yet been scheduled. ONR will announce details of the date and location of the trial when available.

The incident was a conventional health and safety matter, and there was no radiological risk to the public.