A company has been fined following an incident where a self-employed subcontractor fell 15 feet from a youngman board, which had been used to create a temporary platform. He sustained multiple fractures and a brain injury.
The Court heard that on 29 July 2016 the subcontractor was working on a new build. A youngman board was used to create a temporary platform to give access to the roof in an area without scaffolding. The gentleman was standing on the youngman board when it slipped, causing him to fall onto a concrete floor slab below.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company failed to properly supervise the work at height, to ensure scaffold surrounded the full perimeter of the house under construction, and to ensure a suitable working platform and fall protection measures were in place.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005, Regulation 4 and Section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974 and were fined £5,000.
After the hearing, the HSE Inspector said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities and severe injuries in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”