Falls from Height
Steel fabricator after young construction worker falls on first day at work
A steel fabricator has been sentenced after a young employee fell through a fragile roof whilst at work in August 2017.
Plymouth Magistrates heard how a 19-year old employed by Langaton Steel Fabrications fell during his first day of working on a roof replacement project at a petrol filling station in Barnstaple, Devon.
He was working with another employee on the roof when he “took a few steps off the walkway” and fell 7.5m through a thin metal sheet onto the concrete forecourt below.
The young worker suffered serious head injuries, a broken pelvis and a broken wrist as a result of the fall.
Incident could have been fatal
HSE investigators found the work was not properly planned, appropriately supervised or carried out in a safe manner when the incident occurred. The defendant had a duty to control how the work was carried out, including staff supervision.
Langaton Steel Fabrications (Mark Dayment T/A) – of North Road, South Moulton pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regs 2005 was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,228.70.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Nicole Buchanan said:
“This young man’s injuries were life-changing and he could have easily been killed. This serious incident and devastation could have been avoided if basic safe guards had been put in place.
Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities and injuries in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well-known.”
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
Failure to implemented control measures for working near fragile surfaces
A company has been fined £50,000 after an employee fell through fragile ceiling tiles in January 2016.
Basildon Magistrates’ Court heard how the workman was instructed to sort shoes which were stored on a floor adjacent to an unprotected area of fragile ceiling tiles.
He fell through the fragile ceiling tiles, approximately 2.7m to the floor below, and suffered serious pelvic injuries.
Assess and control risks from non-routine tasks
HSE investigators found the company failed to implement control measures for employees working near fragile ceiling tiles.
Indulgence Patisserie Limited – of Clough Road, Colchester pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 9(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and has been fined £50,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,151.50
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Jessica Churchyard said:
“Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well-known.
Working on or near fragile surfaces should be properly assessed and managed. This case highlights the importance for companies to assess and control risks created by non-routine tasks.”
Article Credit: ppconstructionsafety
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
Falls from Height
A construction company has been fined £150k after a worker was injured while demolishing a farm building.
South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told that on 20 September 2017, an employee of Northern Structures Ltd was removing roof sheets from a timber frame farm building when he fell approximately four metres through one of the asbestos cement roof sheets onto the ground below. He suffered a fractured spine.
The HSE’s investigation revealed that, while a risk assessment and method statement were in place to remove the roof sheets from below, this method was then changed to remove them from above. It was during this process that the employee fell through a roof sheet.
Northern Structures Ltd of Amble Industrial Estate, Amble, Northumberland pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1)(a) and Regulation 4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £150,000 with £791.70 in costs.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Loren Wilmot said:
“Suitable and sufficient measures should have been in place through the use of alternative access equipment.
“This would have negated the need for the employee to be on the roof of the building, therefore eliminating the risk of a fall from height through the roof sheets.”
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
Although these workers were renovating a basement, the risk of falling was still there, therefore they were still technically working at height. Some don't realise how important putting all their training into practice at work can be, this man didn't realise he may face jail time for not being properly secured whilst 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
Non-routine tasks require assessment and clear risk controls
A cheese producing company has been fined after an employee was seriously injured when he fell through an internal roof space in October 2017
Kirkwall Sheriff Court heard how the workman was instructed by the general manager to retrieve a dead mouse from the unfloored loft area.
It was during this work that whilst “crawling along ceiling battens” he stood on a fragile board which had been left behind when the factory was built. The board failed under his weight he fell some 2.5m to the factory reception below.
Contractors usually managed risk
HSE investigators found that the company usually engaged external contractors to deal with vermin issues and employees were “not normally required to work at height within the business”.
The investigation found that on this occasion, the employee fell though the ceiling and suffered a significant injury because control measures had not been implemented to safely cross the unfloored loft.
Orkney Cheese Company Limited – of Crowness Road, Kirkwall, Orkney pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £8,000.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Norman Schouten said:
“Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.
Working on or near fragile surfaces should be properly assessed and managed. This case highlights the importance for companies to assess and control risks created by non-routine tasks.”
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Although these workers were renovating a basement, the risk of falling was still there, therefore they were still technically working at height. Some don't realise how important putting all their training into practice at work can be, this man didn't realise he may face jail time for not being properly secured whilst 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.
Falls from Height
HSE inspections at two construction sites revealed widespread safety failings that put workers at risk.
Sherwood Homes Limited had appointed several Principal Contractors to construct numerous domestic properties at two sites, in Preston and at Tarporley. The HSE carried out proactive inspections at both sites and found that those working on site were exposed to risks that included falls from height, electrocution, inhalation of silica dust and being struck by construction plant.
As a result of the inspections, various enforcement action was taken against the Principal Contractors involved and the Client, Sherwood Homes Limited.
The HSE investigation found that the company failed to make suitable arrangements for managing the projects. There was no F10 notice of construction work displayed, and insufficient welfare facilities at the Tarporley site. The company also failed to give notice in writing to HSE before the construction phase began at the Preston site.
On further investigation it was found that since early 2014, HSE conducted nine inspections to four separate sites developed on behalf of Sherwood Homes Ltd. During these visits, 16 enforcement notices and nine notification of contraventions were served for various health and safety breaches.
Sherwood Homes Ltd of Houldsworth Street, Stockport, were found guilty of breaching Regulation 6 (2), Regulation 6(3) and two breaches of Regulation 4 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £76,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,651.64.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Susan Ritchie said:
“Clients cannot delegate their health and safety responsibilities. CDM 2015 places clear duties on Clients making them accountable for the impact their decisions and approach have on the health, safety and welfare of their project.
“In general terms, the Client must ensure that the construction project is set up so that it is carried out from start to finish in a way that adequately controls the risk to health and safety of those who may be affected by it. In order to achieve this they must engage others (such as Designers and Principal Contractors) that have the necessary skills, knowledge, training and organisational capabilities to fulfil their responsibilities under CDM and deliver the project safely on behalf of the Client. If the Client fails to do this, HSE will consider taking enforcement action against them.”
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Although these workers were renovating a basement, the risk of falling was still there, therefore they were still technically working at height. Some don't realise how important putting all their training into practice at work can be, this man didn't realise he may face jail time for not being properly secured whilst 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.
Falls from Height
A roofing contractor has been fined £53k after a worker suffered numerous fractures following a fall through a fragile roof.
Between 11 September 2016 and 1 October 2016, the employee of Broadley Roofing Ltd was working on a roof while the company were carrying out external refurbishment of the warehouse of a former retail store at Skippingdale Industrial Estate, Scunthorpe.
On 30 September 2016, the worker was on the roof working when he fell six metres on to a solid concrete floor. He suffered numerous fractures including his vertebrae, shoulder, ankle, and ribs.
The HSE found that while unsecured boards had been provided to cover nearby roof lights, the company failed to provide any other control measures to prevent falls through the roof while the roof sheets were being replaced.
Broadley Roofing Limited of Hebden Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire pleaded guilty to breaching both Regulation 4(1) and Regulation 9(2) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £53,000 with £2,465.15 in costs.
HSE Inspector Alison Outhwaite commented:
“Work at height, such as roof work, is a high-risk activity that accounts for a high proportion of workplace serious injuries and fatalities each year.
“This incident could have been avoided had the company ensured that appropriate measures were in place to prevent falls, in line with industry standards for roof work.”
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Although these workers were renovating a basement, the risk of falling was still there, therefore they were still technically working at height. Some don't realise how important putting all their training into practice at work can be, this man didn't realise he may face jail time for not being properly secured whilst 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.
Falls from Height
A Manchester-based principal contractor has been sentenced for safety breaches after two workers both fell when working from height.
Leeds Crown Court was told how, on 3 October 2014, the two subcontracted joiners were working on the refurbishment and construction of new build dwellings at the former Wharfedale Hospital in Otley, West Yorkshire. They were working in the bell tower at the site on a temporary access platform when it collapsed. The men fell approximately 3.4 metres onto a lower platform which also collapsed.
They then fell a further 3.4m onto the ground floor of the building. The platforms were installed by PJ Livesey Living Space (North) Ltd to allow other contractors to access the roof structure. One of the workers injured their ankle while the other has suffered permanent nerve damage to the face.
The HSE’s investigation found the work platforms had been designed by the site manager, an employee of PJ Livesey. The site manager was not competent to carry out such a design and the design had not been reviewed by another competent person. Consequently, the platform was unsafe and collapsed.
PJ Livesey Living Space (North) Ltd of Ashburton Park, Trafford Park, Manchester pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £56,000 with costs of £7,262.16.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Chris Tilley commented:
“The risks associated with working at height are well known. Temporary works must always be designed to meet British Standards by a competent person and in the case of more complex works such as this, be subject to a secondary overview.”
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Although these workers were renovating a basement, the risk of falling was still there, therefore they were still technically working at height. Some don't realise how important putting all their training into practice at work can be, this man didn't realise he may face jail time for not being properly secured whilst 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.
Falls from Height
Leeds Magistrates’ Court was told how in December 2015 Jhanade Ryan, a sub-contractor working for Centreco (UK) Ltd, was installing solar panels to the roof of Firth Steels, Brighouse.
Mr Ryan slipped on the roof, sliding down to the edge protection. The toe board of the edge protection snapped and he fell through the scaffold, landing on a sub-station flat roof. He suffered a fracture to his spine, a broken coccyx and nerve damage. Mr Ryan was in hospital for almost three months and is now unable to work due to ongoing mobility issues.
Investigating, the HSE found the scaffolding company had not erected the scaffold to a known industry standard or design. Roof lights were present on the roof and the contractor had failed to take effective measures to prevent workers falling through these fragile surfaces.
Oswestry Shropshire Scaffold Ltd of Pool Cottage, Oswestry, Shropshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £28,800 and ordered to pay £945.20 in costs.
Centreco (UK) Ltd of Hearle House, Chorley, Lancs pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £33,500 with costs of £945.20.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Jayne Towey commented:
“Falls from height often result in life changing or fatal injuries. In most cases these accidents are needless and could be prevented by properly planning to ensure that effective preventative and protective measures are in place such as edge protection or barriers built to the correct standard.”
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Although these workers were renovating a basement, the risk of falling was still there, therefore they were still technically working at height. Some don't realise how important putting all their training into practice at work can be, this man didn't realise he may face jail time for not being properly secured whilst 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.
Falls from Height
A construction company has been fined after a worker fell through a roof and suffered multiple fractures to his ribs and spine.
On 22 October 2015, the self-employed joiner was working on the construction site at Claremont Terrace, Glasgow, when he fell approximately 3.6 metres onto a pile of timber cut-offs.
The HSE’s investigation found that although the company had a risk assessment in place, there were no sufficient measures in place to prevent falls through a void in the roof of the building.
Fleming Buildings Limited of Auchinloch Road, Lenzie, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and Section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £9,335.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Graham Mitchell said:
“Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known. This incident might have been prevented if suitable and sufficient measures had been in place such as a crash desk or safety net.”
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Although these workers were renovating a basement, the risk of falling was still there, therefore they were still technically working at height. Some don't realise how important putting all their training into practice at work can be, this man didn't realise he may face jail time for not being properly secured whilst 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.
Falls from Height
A subcontractor who fell four meters through a fragile roof light into an office space below suffered six fractures to his back. Three construction companies have been fined for breaching health and safety legislation.
On 17 December 2015, the employee of Wessex Insulation Limited was injured when he was installing insulation to new ventilation ductwork on the roof of the Mountbatten Leisure Centre in Portsmouth.
Investigating, the HSE found that three companies – Dantherm Limited (the principal contractor), Wessex Building Services Limited (the main contractor on site) and Wessex Insulation Ltd (the insulation sub-contractor) – had failed to sufficiently plan and manage the risk of falling through rooflights.
The companies were charged and fined as follows:
Dantherm Limited of Windmill Business Park, Cleavedon, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 and was fined £30,666 and ordered to pay costs of £6,646.16.
Wessex Building Services Limited of Wessex House, Shaftesbury, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1)(a) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £425,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,646.16.
Wessex Insulation Limited of Albany Road, Weymouth, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 9(2) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £70,833 and ordered to pay costs of £6,646.16.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Jane Beckmann 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. It was fortunate that in this instance the worker involved made a full recovery, but it could have been a very different outcome.”
Fall Protection
With falls being among the most common cause of serious injury in the work place fall protection is so important. 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.
See more about our Fall Protection Services here
Working at Height
Although these workers were renovating a basement, the risk of falling was still there, therefore they were still technically working at height. Some don't realise how important putting all their training into practice at work can be, this man didn't realise he may face jail time for not being properly secured whilst 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.