Two construction companies have been sentenced after a worker was hospitalised after being struck by a 124kg panel.
The man was working as a lift supervisor at a construction site at Eskdale Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle, in January 2020.
He had been using a tower crane to lift a structured insulated panel (SIP). During the lifting operation, the SIP struck steelwork and fell onto the worker.
He spent 13 days in hospital following the incident after fracturing his collarbone, shoulder blade, left ankle and left rib.
Lack of proper planning
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that principal contractor Tolent Construction had failed to properly plan, manage and monitor the construction phase.
This resulted in failure to ensure a suitable and sufficient plan was in place for the lifting of individual SIPs.
Most importantly, the lift plan failed to stipulate how the individual SIPs were to be safely lifted. It also failed to consider proximity hazards or how the SIPs would be adequately controlled during the lifting operation.
The HSE investigation also identified Clad Build UK Limited (trading as SIP Build UK), as the contractor responsible for the design, supply and installation of the SIPs.
The company failed to plan, manage and monitor the work or to provide the necessary information and instruction to workers on how to prepare the SIPs for lifting.
Clad Build UK Limited also failed to ensure effective supervision and monitoring of work being undertaken by a subcontractor working under its control and to comply with requests for information from the principal contractor.
Guilty pleas
Tolent Construction Limited of Grey Street, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to contravening Regulation 13 (1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £8,468.50 in costs at Newcastle Crown Court on 17 April 2023.
Clad Build UK Limited of Foxbridge Way, Normanton Industrial Estate, Normanton, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to contravening Regulation 15 (2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £45,000 in costs at Newcastle Crown Court on 17 April 2023.
HSE inspector Stuart Whitesmith said: “HSE will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.
"This case should raise awareness of the dangers of failing to properly plan and safely carry out this type of lifting operation. SIPs are increasingly used in the construction industry and all contractors should be aware of the need to suitably plan, manage and monitor their safe installation.”
