Untrained scaffolder suffered life-changing injuries in scaffold platform fall

Paramount Scaffolding Ltd and company director Luke Jessup have been fined for safety failings after a worker suffered life-changing injuries in a 2.5 metre fall from a scaffold platform at a property near Gravesend, Kent on 25 January 2012.

Sevenoaks Magistrates heard (6 Nov) that a three-man team were on site to dismantle the scaffolding and that director Luke Jessop was the only trained scaffolder. The workman fell from the first lift of the scaffold as it was being dismantled.

He was passing boards down to another worker when he lost his footing and fell to the concrete below. The platform was originally six boards wide and comprised three boards when he fell. The edge protection had been removed. The fall caused severe head injuries and he is unlikely to be able to work again.

Simple safe working methods and supervision required

Paramount Scaffolding Ltd and Luke Jessup of Gillingham, both pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and both were fined £2,000 with £1,000 costs each.

After the hearing HSE Inspector Melvyn Stancliffe said:

“This is a very stark example of the tragedy that can result from a task carried out at height without proper thought and planning. It has resulted in life-changing injuries for the worker and has had a devastating impact on his family. In addition, Mr Jessup was a personal friend, and he also has to live with the consequences of his role in the incident.

What happened that day was totally preventable if simple working methods had been followed and the untrained workers had been more closely and better supervised to ensure they carried out the work safely.

The scaffolding industry has produced guidance on the safe
working methods to follow and this case sadly reflects the harsh reality of not doing so.”