The daughter and girlfriend of a steeplejack killed by a fireball as he worked demolishing a 60-metre high chimney have received £335,000 (Approximately $683,000) compensation in a union-backed case.

Father-of-one Craig Whelan was just 23 when he died while working on the chimney at Carnaud Metal Box Plc's Bolton factory in May 2002.

Mr Whelan and another steeplejack, Paul Wakefield, were attempting to burn off a black tarry residue from the inside of the chimney when catastrophe struck. The fumes suddenly ignited, causing an intense fireball that burnt through the metal cables holding up the hoist on which the two men were standing.

The family sued Metal Box Ltd who this week agreed to a £335,000 settlement. Approving the deal after a brief hearing, Mr Justice Griffith Williams said:

'I am pleased there's been a settlement, for the sake of the family.' The case was backed by construction union, UCATT.

Since the disaster Mr Whelan's mother, Linda Whelan, has campaigned publicly for tougher laws and penalties in workplace death cases. The founder member of Families Against Corporate Killers (FACK) said:

'Craig's brothers and I have never sought any money and we have had no part in the civil case and the compensation payment to Craig's daughter and his girlfriend. My case has always been for justice for Craig and for action to stop workers' lives being treated so cheaply. Millions of pounds would not compensate me for my son's smile or his presence at my table.'

She said she would continue the FACK campaign for workplace safety and added:

'I will also fight for much more funding for the HSE - not the cuts it currently faces and I want this in order to deter and catch employers before they kill people not afterwards. Join us and help us make work safer and save lives, better safe than a broken heart.'

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