A scaffolding contractor has been fined after a worker fell from height resulting in serious injuries.
A Magistrates Court heard how, on 15 August 2019, a contractor was dismantling temporary over-roof scaffolding at a site, when he fell through the scaffolding landing on to the roof of the property below, before rolling down and on to the ground. The contractor fell approximately eight meters in total and sustained two brain haemorrhages, six vertebra fractures, a fractured shoulder blade and multiple rib fractures.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had failed to properly plan the works in respect of giving consideration to how the temporary over roof should be dismantled safely. Furthermore, the contractor was only provided with a single lanyard harness that was not suitable for such works, rather than a twin lanyard harness.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 4 (1) (a) and 6 (3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company was fined £16,667 and ordered to pay costs of £6,767 and a victim surcharge of £170.
Speaking after the hearing, an HSE inspector said: “The case highlights the importance of following industry guidance in order to design and dismantle scaffolding in a safe manner with the correct equipment made available to those undertaking the work.
“If a suitable safe system of work had been in place prior to the incident, the life changing injuries sustained by the contractor would have been prevented.”
Source: Health and Safety Executive (HSE)