Construction Firm Fined after Hoarding Hits Passer-by

A Cambridge based construction company has been fined following an incident in which temporary hoarding from one of their sites collapsed, injuring a member of the public as they walked by.

Incident

Mrs Margaret Gardiner was walking along Bedford high street at around 10am on 7th July 2015 when she was knocked over and pinned to the ground by a 10m long piece of hoarding, in place to block access to the sight from the public, as it collapsed. The 68 year old suffered extensive bruising all over, including to her head, and also injured her hip during the incident.

Luton Magistrates Court heard how workers at the site had received no instruction whatsoever on how to construct the hoarding and there had been no supervision in place during its erection. The court also heard that the fact that the hoarding had not been sufficiently supported, tied back or inspected resulted in the structure collapsing and falling on top of a member of the public.

Sentencing

After pleading guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and to breaching Regulation 19(2) Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, Frazer Stannard Limited was fined £100,000 in total (£50,000 for each offence). The construction company was also ordered to pay costs of £2,425.16.

Stephen Manley, an inspector for the Health and Safety Executive said after sentencing:

“This incident could have easily been a fatality and was entirely preventable. Had Frazer Stannard Limited recognised the work they were doing as temporary works and managed matters properly they would have realised the hoarding was not fit for purpose.

Construction companies must learn from this case and plan their work properly ensuring workers are given proper instructions and well as supervision.”

Personal Injury Claims – Expert Advice

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Source: Health & Safety Executive