INEXPERIENCED WORKER FELL DURING MINOR WORKS
Insufficient precautions for both edge and fall protection.
A construction firm has been prosecuted after a worker was seriously injured when he fell through the fragile roof of a farm building that was due to be demolished in February 2016.
Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard how an inexperienced labourer working for Fine Dimensions Limited was asked to assist in minor roof work. He stood on a fragile skylight panel and fell to the concrete floor below, sustaining head and chest injuries.
Fragile surfaces remain a ‘major problem’
HSE investigators established that the roof work was not properly planned and, as a result, insufficient precautions were taken including the provision of both edge and fall protection.
The investigation also found that the company failed to provide sufficient instruction and training for the inexperienced worker.
Fine Dimensions Limited – of Higher Whitley, Warrington, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 4 and 9 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and were fined £3,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,256.45.
HSE inspector Grayam Barnes said after the hearing:
“Work at height, and in the vicinity of fragile surfaces remains a major problem in the construction sector and must be properly controlled to avoid unnecessary injuries to workers.”
Fall Protection
You cannot put a price on somebody's safety. Fall prevention is essential when working at height, and Total Access (UK) Limited can help make this a much safer task. The Total Access (UK) Limited Fall Protection Department offers a nationwide service specialising in the design and installation of high level access solutions to facilitate the safe and efficient working environment of roof maintenance, on scaffolding, abseil cleaning and other high level tasks.
Our fall protection department include courses such as Working Safely at Height, Fall Protection Equipment Training and Harness & Lanyard Training.
Important Links: