A construction company has been fined more than £9,000 after a self-employed joiner working on one of its sites fell 3.6m through a roof and suffered life-changing injuries.
HEADLINE: Contractor fined after worker fell 3.6m into timber pile
A construction company has been fined more than £9,000 after a self-employed joiner working on one of its sites fell 3.6m through a roof and suffered life-changing injuries.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how, on 22 October 2015, the worker was on site at Claremont Terrace, Glasgow, when he fell approximately 3.6 metres onto a pile of timber cut-offs.
He sustained multiple fractures to his ribs and to his spine.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that although the company had a risk assessment in place, there were no sufficient measures in place to prevent falls through a void in the roof of the building.
Fleming Buildings of Auchinloch Road, Lenzie, pleaded guilty to a breach of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The company was fined £9,335.
HSE inspector Graham Mitchell said: "Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known. This incident might have been prevented if suitable and sufficient measures had been in place such as a crash desk or safety net.
"Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the standards required."A construction company has been fined more than £9,000 after a self-employed joiner working on one of its sites fell 3.6m through a roof and suffered life-changing injuries.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how, on 22 October 2015, the worker was on site at Claremont Terrace, Glasgow, when he fell approximately 3.6 metres onto a pile of timber cut-offs.
He sustained multiple fractures to his ribs and to his spine.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that although the company had a risk assessment in place, there were no sufficient measures in place to prevent falls through a void in the roof of the building.
Fleming Buildings of Auchinloch Road, Lenzie, pleaded guilty to a breach of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The company was fined £9,335.
HSE inspector Graham Mitchell said: "Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known. This incident might have been prevented if suitable and sufficient measures had been in place such as a crash desk or safety net.
"Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the standards required."
False economy when safety measures are ignored.
Where are the Site Safety Officers (contractor’s or employer’s) in all of this?
Aren’t these guys supposed to sign off on these tasks relative to safety regulations and safe method statements along with task risk assessment before the work starts.
the contractor/workmen does not have the last word where the start and progress of any task is concerned; the safety officer does; he can stop any work if he thinks it is being conducted against safety regulations and pose a health risk threat.
if such is the case, why aren’t we seeing more of these officers being brought to question. why did they not pick up on the safety breaches and act accordingly to prevent the risk.?