Falls from Height
A roofing contractor has been sentenced for failing to take adequate precautions to prevent his workers falling from height and for breaching a prohibition notice.
Llandudno Magistrates’ Court heard how in April 2018 workers were observed working on the roof of a domestic two-storey house in Wrexham with no edge protection. A prohibition notice was issued preventing further work until control measures were put in place, but the contractor chose to ignore it and carried on working.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), found that Asa Hamilton allowed his workers to be exposed to a continuing risk of falling from the roof, with potential for fatal or major injury.
Asa Hamilton of Linthorpe Road, Buckley, Flintshire pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6 (3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 for failing to provide precautions to prevent falls from height and Sections 33 (1) (e) and 33 (1) g of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for failing to comply with a prohibition notice.
Mr Hamilton was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, plus 200 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a contribution of £4,000 towards the costs.
Speaking after the case HSE principal inspector Paul Harvey said
“This was a serious incident and it is fortunate nobody was injured as a result of it. There are well known standards in the construction industry for controlling risks from falls from height. Even when the dutyholder was served a prohibition notice to stop the activity they failed to take the appropriate action.
“HSE will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those that disregard enforcement notices when served or fail to take appropriate measures to control well known risks”
To avoid these prosecutions, contact us to discuss your working at height needs, be it equipment, fall protection sytems, training or services. Call us on 01785 850333 or email info@arcoservices.co.uk with your query.
Falls from Height
Volunteer fell through roof of football club stand
A football club has been fined after a ‘volunteer’ died when he fell through a fragile roof in July 2017.
Luton Magistrates heard how the 71-year-old volunteer at St Albans City Football and Athletic Club Limited suffered fatal injuries when he fell through fragile roof sheeting onto terrace steps below.
HSE investigators found that the company failed to ensure a suitable system was in place to authorise certain work. The regulator reports that:
“It was also found that inadequate supervision, together with volunteers being provided with keys to gain uncontrolled entry to the football ground, resulted in access to the roof to carry out repairs in an unsafe manner.”
St Albans City Football and Athletic Club Ltd, of Victoria Street, St Albans pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £1000 and ordered to pay costs of £1000.
Employee safety standard required
After the hearing HSE inspector Sandra Dias said:
“This was a tragic and wholly avoidable fatality caused by the failure of the club in its duty of care towards volunteers.
Employers who use volunteers have to ensure their safety, the same as if they were a paid employee.”
The fine imposed by the court in this case appears ‘low’ in the light of the reported facts and the fatal consequences. The ability to pay will have been considered by the court and the fine may therefore have been set at a level which would not imperil the existence of the club.
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. The Arco Professional Safety Services 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Make sure to have a look at our working at height training where you can learn everything from how to correctly suit up in sufficient equipment to climbing correctly.
See more about our Working at Height training here
Falls from Height
Construction firm Rivergate Developments Ltd has been fined for safety breaches after a worker fell 2.7 metres through an open stairwell.
Leeds Magistrates’ court was told how, on 31 May 2017, Nathan Howes, 26, was working on the upper floor of a cricket club in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire which was under refurbishment.
Mr Howes was removing a ‘genie lift’ from the forks of a lift truck, so that steel beams could be lifted into place, when he stepped backwards and fell through the stairwell opening. Mr Howes sustained multiple injuries including a fractured spine, a fractured skull and a small collapse of one of his lungs. He spent six days in hospital and still attends physiotherapy as an outpatient. He has not yet been able to return to work.
The HSE’s investigation found that Rivergate Developments Ltd had carried out a risk assessment which identified there would be gaps in the floor through which a person could fall. However, they failed to put in place any measures to either prevent or mitigate the consequences of a fall. Such measures include the use of fixed edge protection systems to prevent falls or the use of fall arrest bags to mitigate falls.
Rivergate Developments Ltd of Rivergate House, Carrhill Road, Mossley, Lancashire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £1,020 in costs.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Jayne Towey commented:
“Falls from height often result in life-changing or fatal injuries. In most cases, these incidents are needless and could be prevented by properly planning the work to ensure that effective preventative and protective measures are in place such as edge protection or barriers built to the correct standard.
“This incident could have easily been prevented if the company had installed adequate edge protection around the opening to prevent falls.”
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. The Arco Professional Safety Services 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Make sure to have a look at our working at height training where you can learn everything from how to correctly suit up in sufficient equipment to climbing correctly.
See more about our Working at Height training here
Falls from Height
A worker who fell six metres from a ladder sustained multiple fractures to the neck, back, ribs, and hip, plus head injuries and a collapsed lung.
On 4 April 2017, the contractor who was working on converting a barge from a commercial vessel into a luxury house-boat, but fell from a ladder erected at the back of the vessel. The ladder provided unsafe access onto the boat and whilst descending, it twisted causing him to fall six metres onto the floor of the dry-dock. A gangway which would have provided safe access was available in the boatyard but had not been fitted because of time pressures. The contractor has not been able to return to full-time work because of his injuries.
The HSE’s investigation found that marine contractor TS Rigging Limited had failed to take suitable and sufficient measures to prevent any person falling a distance liable to cause personal injury. The company also failed to carry out a risk assessment.
TS Rigging Limited of 2 High Street, Burnham on Crouch, Essex pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company was fined £34,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,917.
Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Nikki Hughes said:
“Falls from height are one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities and major injuries, with falls from ladders being one of the most common causes.
“This incident could have been prevented if the company had implemented a safe system of work to prevent falls.”
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. The Arco Professional Safety Services 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Make sure to have a look at our working at height training where you can learn everything from how to correctly suit up in sufficient equipment to climbing correctly.
See more about our Working at Height training here
Falls from Height
A roofing company and its director have been sentenced for safety breaches after the death of an employee.
Daniel Shrimpton was removing flashing from the roof of a two-storey terraced house in Wimbeldon. He was found lying unresponsive on the ground soon after beginning work and died later that day in hospital. Daniel Shrimpton was Ray Strank’s nephew and the only employee of Ray Strank Roofing Ltd. The incident happened on 9 December 2015.
A joint investigation between the HSE and the Metropolitan Police found Ray Strank Roofing Limited had failed to properly plan the work and that suitable control measures were not in place.
The most appropriate form of work at height equipment for the job, advise the HSE, would have been a scaffold, erected on two sides of the building to provide edge protection to all the open edges of the roof. However a scaffold was not present on site on the day of the incident and not priced for. Ray Strank Roofing Limited’s failings were due to the neglect of Ray Strank, the sole director, says the HSE.
Ray Strank Roofing Limited of Sandbourne Avenue, London pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and was fined £50,000 with costs of £5,500.
Ray Strank of Sandbourne Avenue, London pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and was sentenced to 200 hours unpaid work with costs of £5,500.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Gabriella Dimitrov said:
“This was a tragic incident, which could so easily have been avoided by the carrying out of correct control measures and safe working practices.
“Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work fatalities in this country, and the hazards associated with working at height are well-known. Similarly, the precautions and systems of work available to control these hazards are also well known and well documented.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. The Arco Professional Safety Services 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Make sure to have a look at our working at height training where you can learn everything from how to correctly suit up in sufficient equipment to climbing correctly.
See more about our Working at Height training here
Falls from Height
A firm and a contractor have been sentenced after a worker fell through a roof.
Carlisle Magistrates’ Court was told how, on 23 February 2017, a 22-year-old worker had been working on the roof of a farm building when he fell through a skylight, over four metres, onto the concrete floor below.
He suffered three fractured vertebrae, a displaced ribcage and a fractured heel as a result. The worker was under the direction of John Parker, trading as J R Parker Agricultural Building and Landscaping. John Parker had been subcontracted by local firm Michael Mudd Limited, to repair the roof of the sheep shed at a farm near Orton, Penrith.
The HSE’s investigation found the work lacked proper planning and that no measures had been put in place to protect against falls from height.
John Robert Parker of New Village, Ingleton pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £2,000 with costs of £971.80.
Michael Mudd Ltd of Park View, Marthwaite, Sedbergh pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £11,000 with costs of £851.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Matthew Tinsley said: “This incident was avoidable. It resulted in serious injuries, but a fall from this distance could easily have resulted in a death.
“Roof work should always be properly planned with measures put in place to prevent people falling and contractors should have sufficient knowledge, skills, equipment and experience to work safely at height on farm buildings.”
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. The Arco Professional Safety Services 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Make sure to have a look at our working at height training where you can learn everything from how to correctly suit up in sufficient equipment to climbing correctly.
See more about our Working at Height training here
Falls from Height
A company which runs a Staffordshire social club has been fined £20,000 after a volunteer suffered life-changing injuries falling from an unsafe ladder.
Roger Ingley was using a loft ladder at Lea Hall Social Club in Rugeley when it gave way causing him to fall about 6ft onto some stairs with the ladder falling on top of him.
Mr Ingley suffered multiple bone fractures and a perforated bowel.
He has since undergone several operations, but has been left with life-changing injuries and has been unable to return to his former employment as a civil engineer.
Lea Hall Social Club Limited, which operates Lea Hall Social Club in Rugeley, has been prosecuted after pleading guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, having allowed one of its members to use an unsafe ladder.
At Cannock Magistrates Court District Judge Ian Strongman fined Lea Hall Social Club Limited £20,000 and ordered the company to pay costs of £17,000.
The court heard how on November, 29, 2015, club member and unpaid volunteer Roger Ingley had been putting away Christmas decorations when the loft ladder he was using gave way, causing him to fall.
Tony Watkin, Cannock Chase Council’s barrister, said:
“There was a systemic failure to address risks to health and safety. Failure from ladders run the risk of serious harm."
The council’s health and safety inspector Emily MacKinnon, who investigated the incident in December 2015, found a loft ladder in a poor state of repair.
Mrs MacKinnon observed that the ladder was poorly maintained and was not regularly checked to ensure it remained safe.
The club had not followed its own risk assessments and there was a lack of information and training on safe working at height.
There was no one appointed at the club with responsibility for health and safety, while management at the club had undergone several changes prior to the incident.
Barney Branston, on behalf of the company, said:
“This is a charitable arm that does an extraordinary amount of good in the community.
"The financial position of this charity is breathtakingly poor in every way. They have to juggle their debts daily."
Judge Strongman said efforts had now been made to provide safe access to the loft.
Following the incident the council has been working with the club’s management to ensure that they have adequate risk assessments, suitable training and appropriate maintenance checks.
The council’s head of economic prosperity, Dean Piper, who has responsibility for environmental health, said: “We recognise that social clubs play a valuable role in the community by providing entertainment and charitable activities, but that sometimes there is a lack of expertise in health and safety among those that manage and oversee these community assets.
“It can be difficult to know where to start but with the right help, which as the local authority we are able to provide, we can help ensure that everyone goes home safe.”
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. The Arco Professional Safety Services 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Make sure to have a look at our working at height training where you can learn everything from how to correctly suit up in sufficient equipment to climbing correctly.
See more about our Working at Height training here
Falls from Height
Two companies have been fined after a worker fell from a warehouse racking system, suffering serious head injuries.
Liverpool Magistrates’ Court was told how, on 1 February 2016, recommissioning work of a warehouse racking system was being carried out at premises on Stopgate Lane, Simonswood. While working on this project, one of the workers fell 10 metres from the top of the racking system onto the concrete floor below, sustaining significant head injuries.
The HSE’s investigation found the main contractor Ortec BV had subcontracted the work to Mechantech Limited to undertake. There was no safe system of work in place as none of the workers had safety harnesses and there were no physical barriers to prevent anyone from falling. The investigation also found Mechantech Limited had failed in its duty to ensure the health and safety of its own employees as it had not undertaken any risk assessment for working at height (incorrectly assuming that main contractor Ortec BV had done so).
Ortec BV of Houtsingel 5, Zoetermeer, in the Netherlands pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) and Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was ordered to pay fines of £300,000 with costs of £4,742.75.
Mechantech Limited of, Rossington, Doncaster pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) and Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and were ordered to pay fines of £36, 666 and costs of £4,742.75.
Speaking after the case, HSE Inspector Jane Carroll said:
“Those in control of work have a responsibility to develop safe working methods and to ensure that their workers have the necessary information, instruction and training in that safe way of working. Had such a safe system of work been in place prior to the incident, the serious injuries sustained by the employee could have been prevented”.
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. The Arco Professional Safety Services 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Make sure to have a look at our working at height training where you can learn everything from how to correctly suit up in sufficient equipment to climbing correctly.
See more about our Working at Height training here
Falls from Height
A construction company has been fined after an employee fell through a plasterboard ceiling onto a staircase below at a site in Basingstoke.
On 31 October 2016, an employee of Croudace Homes Limited was working in a loft space when he fell through a plasterboard ceiling onto the staircase below. He sustained a punctured lung, six fractured ribs, a fractured vertebra and a fractured shoulder.
The HSE’s investigation found that there was poor planning of the pre-plaster work and a lack of understanding of the risks associated with working at height in the loft without adequate fragile surface protection.
Croudace Homes Limited of, Croudace House, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6XQ, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulation 2005 and was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £5,355.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Sharron Cripps said: “Falls from height remain the most common cause of work-related fatalities and serious injuries in the construction industry and the risks associated with working at height are well-known.
“Working on or near fragile materials at height can be particularly dangerous and it is very important that those in control of the work identify the risk, plan to eliminate it if possible, or where it is not possible, take appropriate precautions to safeguard workers and others. Good management will also include regular monitoring that the controls in place are keeping people safe.”
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. The Arco Professional Safety Services 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Make sure to have a look at our working at height training where you can learn everything from how to correctly suit up in sufficient equipment to climbing correctly.
See more about our Working at Height training here
Falls from Height
A construction company has been fined after a chauffeur fell to his death at a concealed basement void in a domestic property that was undergoing building work.
Mr Bala Singh Koranga, a visitor to the house and not associated with the works, entered the construction area and stepped onto a blue tarpaulin that was placed to prevent rainwater entering the basement. Mr Koranga fell into the void and sustained a fatal laceration to the neck. The incident happened on 16 September 2017.
The HSE’s investigation found the company had failed to put in place adequate construction site fencing, the site had no warning signs and ineffective barriers were used around the concealed void.
SM Builder Expert Limited of Alnwick Road, London pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £5,280 with costs of £3,204.
Speaking after the hearing, Mr Koranga’s son said:
“My father was always very happy. He was always messing around and joking. It was what he was known for. He is greatly missed.”
HSE Inspector Rauf Ahmed added:
“This tragic incident could easily have been prevented. Builders need to take adequate measures to prevent unauthorised access into construction sites and prevent persons falling into open basements.”
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. The Arco Professional Safety Services 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here