A leading manufacturer of aircraft seats has been fined £660,000 after one of its employees suffered horrific injuries when he fell through a roof at a site in South Wales.
The company was carrying out work to vacate its premises when the incident happened on 19 May 2020.
The worker suffered multiple broken bones, including eight to their ribs, collar bone, as well as a fractured skull. They had been dismantling and removing a spraying booth when they fell more than seven feet through its roof. They were knocked unconscious as they hit the concrete floor and suffered a bleed on the brain.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found inadequate planning of the work at height meant suitable equipment wasn’t used and insufficient instruction and training had been given to those carrying out the work.
In the five-year period between 2017 and 2022, 174 workers in Great Britain – a quarter of those killed in accidents at work – tragically fell to their death.
The company pleaded guilty at Cwmbran Magistrates Court on June 14 2023 to breaching section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and fined £660,000. They must also pay costs of £13,472.
HSE Inspector said: “Those in control of any work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working. They should also provide the necessary information, instruction, and training to their workers on the safe system of working. If these basic practices had been followed, this incident would have been entirely preventable.”
In many cases where a person falls from height, safe access has not been provided. All operations requiring work at height require risk assessment and proper management of risks. Where regular or frequent access to height is required, permanent safe access arrangements should be installed.
For any further advice, phone us on 01691 688723 or email us at info@mbo.ltd and we will be happy to assist you.
Sources: HSE: Information about health and safety at work