Working at Height
A forging company has been fined after an employee suffered a fatal injury when he fell from height from a mobile tower scaffold.
A Stokes Group Limited employee George Clifford was fatally injured at the company site on Cochrane Road, Dudley, West Midlands, after falling from a tower scaffold whilst dismantling a Eumuco 2000 Tonne Forging Press, Dudley Magistrates’ Court was told. The incident happened on 19 June 2019.
The HSE’s investigation found the company had failed to have a safe system of work in place for the dismantling of the forging press and did not provide information, instruction and training for the task. The mobile scaffold tower was erected without suitable and sufficient measures namely guard rails to prevent a person falling a distance liable to cause injury.
Stokes Group Limited of Cochrane Road, Holly Hall, Dudley, West Midlands pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,885.20.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Karen Sweeney said. “The incident could have been prevented if the work had been properly planned, risk assessed and a safe system of work put in place for the dismantling of the forging press. When devising a safe system of work, consideration should have been given to the selection of work equipment for work at height and whether a mobile tower scaffold was appropriate.
“The incident could also have been prevented had the tower scaffold been erected with suitable and sufficient measures such as guard rails, to prevent a person falling a distance liable to cause injury.”
Article from Safety and Health Practioner online
Working at Height
From 2013-18, falls from height accounted for the majority of fatal injuries to workers – at an average of 37 deaths every year. It is a major killer of workers in key sectors including construction and agriculture, and the figures show no sign of improvement, as Ken Diable, Managing Director at Heightsafe, explains.
Ken Diable, Managing Director of Heightsafe
The sad fact is that many of these incidents are entirely preventable. Whether lack of planning, lack of equipment or cultural complacency, there continues to be a tide of prosecutions against organisations for poor Working at Height practices.
Last month the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)’s report on Working at Height described how improving communication around existing regulation, advice and best practices could help mitigate these poor practices.
While communication campaigns are important in encouraging proactive safety cultures, I don’t believe this goes far enough. With the Healthy and Safety Executive (HSE) due to publish it’s latest 2019/20 Business Plan this quarter, now is the ideal time to have a frank discussion about the need for stricter legislation around Working at Height.
Safe working, why are so many missing a proactive culture?
Unfortunately, in our experience it often takes a near miss for organisational leaders to sit up and take action. In the aftermath they can often blame their health and safety (H&S) colleagues, rather than looking more widely at the top-down culture and investment.
We must not forget that H&S managers are dealing with a raft of risks. Where they do lose focus on the basics, it isn’t necessarily their fault. Rather, it may be a symptom of a wider culture in health and safety that often focuses on the latest ‘new’ issue, rather than returning to, and reinforcing the basic principles.
For example, in the HSE’s 2018/19 plan its priorities were around occupational lung disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and work-related stress. Despite falls from height accounting for the highest number of fatal injuries in the workplace, no mention was made of tackling this specific issue.
The concern is that in the drive to solve complex issues, the HSE may be losing strategic focus on making sure the basics are done right. These messages then filter down, with organisational focus shifting away from the foundations of safe working in order to firefight the issue of the moment.
Perhaps focus can only be reframed through regulatory change?
What will stronger Work at Height regulation achieve?
There are several ways in which regulation can play a part in stopping preventable deaths and life-changing injuries. From 2013-18 47% of deaths, and 33% of injuries in the construction industry were as a result of a fall from height.
The first is to ensure organisations take a proactive approach to planning for Working at Height by making the correct equipment a legal requirement.
Making Work at Height equipment a legal requirement on all new buildings and redevelopment projects, with a minimum standard set in building regulations would significantly impact on the downtrend for these entirely preventable incidents.
Of course, this would impact budgets and as such it would be sensible to also offer tax relief for businesses actively investing in Work at Height equipment to protect their personnel, similar to the Land Remediation Relief currently available in the asbestos industry.
Ensuring that the right safety equipment is available to workers should be seen as a basic requirement. Unfortunately, it often takes an incident or near-miss to spur action and investment in equipment. When lives are being put in jeopardy this is not a risk worth taking.
Benchmark competition and drive compliance
Another way to drive down avoidable incidents would be for RIDDOR statistics to be easily accessible online for businesses in high-risk industries such as construction and agriculture. A certification scheme from RIDDOR, providing proof of an organisation’s accident statistics would allow comparison and benchmarking against competitors and peers.
Why is this important? The fatal injury rate in construction is around four times the all-industry rate. If the HSE were to continually monitor and report on the Health and Safety performance of contractors in high-risk industries, they could score contractors against set metrics to aid in a proactive approach. By providing an easy-to-check database clients themselves can have a greater role to play in improving safety culture. If clients demand it, suppliers will have to listen.
What can be done now to stop avoidable deaths and injuries?
The fact is that while debates are had over the best ways to deal with these avoidable incidents, people are still getting injured and lives ruined. Industry shouldn’t wait for regulators to come knocking before they act. Here’s what can be done right now:
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Training – The Work at Height Regulations 2005 state that as an employer or duty holder, you are required to ensure that all employees have access to Work at Height equipment that reflects the requirements and regulations, including training in the use of equipment.
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Fall Protection Systems – Current health and safety legislation dictates that Fall Protection systems should be in place when employees or contractors carry out work at height (2 metres or higher).
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Safe Equipment – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a vital part of protecting against the risks posed whilst Working at Height. This includes items such as safety harnesses, lanyards and karabiners legally required when using some Personal Fall Protection systems. As an employer it is your duty to ensure that employees are fully trained when it comes to selecting the correct PPE for the job.
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Inspection, Testing and Compliance – The PUWER Regulations 1998 state that regular maintenance and testing of Work at Height equipment and PPE is required to remain compliant. If your systems are not visibly tagged and in compliance, it may not only invalidate your insurance, but could also lead to prosecution, should an employee, contractor or even trespassers suffer injuries.
Health and Safety practitioners are all driven by a desire to make work safe. As much as regulation may be seen as an additional burden, it should also be viewed as a tool to help focus business leaders on the need to support their H&S experts deliver the basics.
Working at Height
A self-employed part-time roofer has been sentenced after both exposing a homeowner to carbon monoxide and putting co-workers at risk while working at height.
On 9 March 2016, Mr Robert Thompson was in control of work to remove a chimney at a house in Llanharan. According to the HSE, Thompson put his co-workers at risk of falling from a height liable to cause serious physical harm or death. He also exposed the homeowner, his wife and others who visited the property to carbon monoxide.
The HSE’s investigation found the gas supply to the property was not isolated before or during the day’s work and rubble fell down the chimney damaging and blocking the flue. The investigation also found that no scaffolding or other fall protection was in place to work safely at height.
Robert Thompson of Meadowbank Close, Cwmbach, Aberdare, Mid Glamorgan was found guilty of breaching Section 6 (3) of the Work at Height Regulations and Regulation 8(2) of Gas Safety (Installation & Use) 1998 and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, plus 180 hours community work. Thompson was also ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Simon Breen commented:
Persons carrying out building work, particularly on chimneys, must make sure that they do not block or obstruct an air supply vent or flue and risk the lives of those in the property. They also need to take suitable precautions to prevent workers falling and suffering serious injuries.”
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
Working at Height
A ground maintenance company and its subcontractor have been fined after two men worked on a roof without suitable measures in place to prevent a fall from height.
Glasgow Sherriff Court was told that on 19 January 2017 Inex Works Civils Limited subcontracted repair work on the roof of 183 St Vincent Street to Colin Martin. Mr Martin and an employee were photographed on the roof. Mr Martin had slithered down a sloping roof to work on the roof edge, whilst an employee held on to a piece of webbing strap that was attached to a rope which in turn was attached to the harness of Mr Martin. Neither the employee or Mr Martin were attached to a suitable anchor point. Mr Martin was observed throwing a brush and black bin bags up to his employee.
Investigating, the HSE found that Inex Works Civils Limited had failed to ensure that the subcontractor, Colin Martin, had properly planned a safe system for working at height on said roof with appropriate equipment, and that Colin Martin carried out work at height whilst wearing a harness that was not attached to a suitable anchor point and was instead held by his employee, exposing them both to the risk of serious injury or death from a fall from height.
Fines
Inex Works Civils Limited of Mid Road, Cumbernauld pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £1,300.
Colin Martin of Rowan Avenue, Milton of Campsie pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at height regulations 2005 and was fined £2,000.
HSE comment
Speaking after the hearing HSE principal inspector, Graeme McMinn said:
“The failures that have come to light in this case could have endangered the lives of these workers, and materials being thrown up could have fallen onto the pavement below.
“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.”
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
Working at Height
A contractor carrying out refurbishment and basement extension work has been fined more than £50,000 after a HSE inspection found a series of serious safety breaches.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that PVAD Limited was the contractor controlling work at a construction site at on Montholme Road, London, SW11, when it was inspected by the HSE in March 2017.
The inspection found that numerous areas of the site had no edge protection to prevent falls, including where workers could fall four metres into the basement from the site entrance area.
Unsafe ‘homemade’ ramps were being used to allow access to some parts of the site.
Work halted
It was also found that the welfare facilities fell far below the legally required standard, with the WC having no cistern to allow flushing and the washing arrangements on site consisting of a cold water outdoor tap and bucket, with no soap or towel.
A prohibition notice was served on PVAD Limited, but further inspections in April and May 2017 revealed new work at height issues that were so serious that all work had to be halted on both occasions until the site was made safe. An improvement notice was also served concerning the inadequate welfare facilities.
The company breached the notice as the improvements made were insufficient.
The HSE had previously inspected other PVAD Limited sites several times in 2015 and 2016. As a result, the company had been served with three improvement notices relating to welfare facilities and two formal letters highlighting work at height risks and giving advice.
PVAD Limited of Overstone Road, Hammersmith pleaded guilty to breaching:
- Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005
- Regulation 15(11) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM)
- Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The company was fined £51,334 and ordered to pay £1,525.50 in costs.
No training
HSE inspector Adam Thompson commented after the hearing:
“After the March 2017 inspection PVAD Limited were provided with clear written advice to help them make improvements. They failed to take note of this and continued to rely on a site manager with no formal health and safety training.
“On the three occasions the site was visited the workers were at such risk of falling that all work had to halt. It was just good fortune that no one was killed or seriously injured at the site”.
“The standards were particularly inexcusable as the company had received clear warnings in the past. It speaks volumes that, even after being issued with three welfare improvement notices at other sites, they provided their workers at the new site with a non-flushing WC and an outside cold water tap and a bucket as washing facilities.”
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.
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.
Working at Height
A 28-year old scaffolder has been sentenced after working at height without suitable and sufficient safety measures in place.
Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 30 June 2017, Mr Terrance Murray was witnessed erecting scaffold in an unsafe manner by a concerned member of the public.
Photographs were taken of Mr Murray standing on top of the scaffold in Quay Street, Manchester, with no edge protection and no harness attached to any part of the scaffold or building.
The fall height was estimated at between 13 and 18 metres. If he had fallen from this height into the concrete deck of the car park below there is a high probability that he would have sustained fatal injuries.
Acted alone
The Health and Safety Executive’s investigation found that Mr Murray’s employers had taken reasonable steps to avoid working unsafely at height. Mr Murray was well trained and experienced, and had the correct equipment available to him in order to work safely.
He acted alone against his better interest and training to work without edge protection and safety measures in place. Mr Murray was also accompanied by a trainee scaffolder at the time and so was setting an unsafe example.
Mr Terrance Murray of Largs Road, Blackburn pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for one year and 100 hours of community service. Mr Murray was also ordered to pay costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £115.
Common cause of work-related death
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Seve Gomez-Aspron said:
“Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work related fatalities in this country and should be taken seriously.
“This case highlights the importance of following industry guidance in order to erect scaffolding in a safe manner, which does not cause risk to members of the public and workers using the scaffold. It also serves to remind employees that they have a duty to look after themselves.”
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.
Working at Height
Inspectors from the Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) are visiting farms across the country to ensure farmers avoid falls from great heights.
The visits are part of a new inspection initiative to prevent risks during building maintenance, such as falling from a roof or a ladder.
According to the Health and Safety Executive, falls are the second highest cause of death on British farms and every year at least eight people die falling from a height.
Those who survive often suffer broken bones and other life-changing consequences.
Farmers will be reminded during the visit of the free HSE guidance on things to do when working at heights.
The inspectors will also be checking how the risk of falling from height is being controlled during building maintenance, if a specialist contractor contractor is being used and if there are signs to warn people of fragile roofs.
They will also be assessing how exposure to asbestos is being prevented and whether there is an up-to-date plan showing where asbestos is present on the farm.
The inspectors will also remind farmers that it is dangerous to drill or cut asbestos and everyone working on the farm needs to know where it is and how to avoid breathing it in.
“Across the country, we know that plenty of farmers routinely use the right kit and do building maintenance and repair safely,” said the head of the HSE’s agriculture sector, Rick Blunt.
“Despite this, falls from height are still one of the main causes of death and injury on Britain’s farms, and each year too many farmers are working with asbestos and breathing in dangerous fibres.
“HSE is calling on anyone involved in building maintenance and repair work on farms to use the free guidance from our website to make sure they comply with the law and do the job safely,” added Mr Blunt.
Working at Height
Working at height can mean anything from using a ladder or doing work at the top of a skyscraper. Whatever form it comes in, working at some sort of height is highly common in most professions.
Click here to view all of our working at height courses
Working at Height
Scaffolder faces jail after he was snapped working 60 feet up the side of a building wearing a harness that wasn’t hooked to anything
Terrance Murray, 27, was erecting scaffolding at the side of a six storey building when he was unknowingly snapped by a retired health and safety inspector.
Now the daredevil is facing up to six months in prison after he admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.
His stunt happened as he was constructing scaffolding at the rear of the Grade II-listed Sunlight House in Manchester, on June 30 last year as part of work to renovate the windows.
The photo shows him looking directly into the offices of the Crown Prosecution Service, which occupies some of the building.
His apprentice can be seen working further down the scaffolding.
Murray, an experienced scaffolder, can be seen standing on planks without having first erected a rail to stop him toppling over the side, as required.
In the photograph, he is wearing a harness but it isn’t connected to the scaffolding.
When he appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court yesterday, he admitted a single breach of health and safety law under his full name Terrance Tyson Murray.
Murray, of Blackburn, pleaded guilty to failing to take reasonable care for either himself or others who may have been affected by his acts and omissions while at work.
District Judge Mark Hadfield adjourned the case when Murray, who was not represented by a lawyer, admitted he hadn’t realised he could be sent to prison for the offence.
When Judge Hadfield suggested he get himself a lawyer, Murray said: ‘What if I can’t afford it?’
The judge replied: ‘That’s a matter for you. If I were you, I’d get legal representation.’
The case was adjourned until February 20 to allow Murray to consider getting a lawyer.
After the hearing, HM inspector of health and safety Matt Greenly said:
‘The potential for his actions was the death of a young man. This is a situation which could easily have been avoided. He had all the right equipment. He chose for some unknown reason to take his life in his own hands that day.’
Article from MailOnline
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.
Working at Height
Principal Contractor repeatedly failed to manage work at height
Pride Way Development Ltd, has today been fined £200,000 after repeatedly failing to manage and control fall from height risks.
Westminster Magistrates heard how, following concerns expressed by workers and members of the public, HSE inspectors made a number of visits during 2016/17 to sites where the company was the appointed the Principal Contractor.
Inspector identified a number of serious health and safety failings, including unsafe work at height.
History of breaching legal requirements
HSE investigators found that the company had repeatedly breached health and safety legislation which gave rise to significant risk of harm, with four HSE enforcement notices issued in respect unsafe work at height over the previous five years.
A HSE intervention in 2013 resulted in the company drawing up a comprehensive work at height policy which subsequent inspections showed was being ignored.
Pride Way Development Ltd – of Wembley, Middlesex, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 which requires that the Principal Contractor must plan, manage and monitor the construction phase to ensure that construction work is carried out without risks to health or safety.
The company was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,499.40
Speaking after the case, HSE Inspector Gabriella Dimitrov said:
“Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work fatalities in this country, and the risks associated with working at height are well-known.
Pride Way has been repeatedly warned by HSE about the need to manage risks, and have today been held to account for failing to take adequate action to protect the health and safety of its workers.”
Fines can be easily avoided with the correct training.
Click here to review our Working Safely at Height course
Working at Height
Pride Way Development Ltd, a London based construction company, has been fined for repeatedly failing to manage and control fall from height risks.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how, after concerns were raised by both workers and members of the public, HSE inspectors made a number of visits during 2016/17 to sites where Pride Way Development Limited had been appointed the principal contractor. On these visits, inspectors identified a number of serious health and safety failings, including unsafe work at height.
The Health and Safety Executive’s investigation found that Pride Way had repeatedly breached health and safety legislation which gave rise to significant risk of harm, with four notices served for unsafe work at height in the past five years. A HSE intervention in 2013 resulted in the company drawing up a comprehensive work at height policy which subsequent inspections showed was being ignored.
CDM breach
Pride Way Development Ltd of Harrow Road, Wembley, Middlesex, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company has been fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,499.40
Speaking after the case, HSE Inspector Gabriella Dimitrov said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work fatalities in this country, and the risks associated with working at height are well-known.
“Pride Way has been repeatedly warned by HSE about the need to manage risks, and have today been held to account for failing to take adequate action to protect the health and safety of its workers.”
Fines can be easily avoided with the correct training.
Click here to review our Working Safely at Height course