Company Fined after Worker Falls 6m from Roof
An engineering construction company based in Derbyshire has been fined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an accident at work incident in which a worker fell from height and suffered severe injuries.
Incident
Derby Magistrates Court heard how on the 30 July 2014, an employee of Allen and Hunt Construction Engineers Ltd was working as part of a pair replacing the roof panels on a barn.
The worker then fell 6 meters to the floor from the homemade crawling boards he was using, suffering serious injuries to his lungs, hip and head in the process.
A colleague of the injured worker was under the roof in a basket attached to a telehandler. When the incident took place he had to climb down the boom of the machine in order to assist the worker.
HSE Investigation
HSE investigated the incident and found a lack of coverings and platforms on the roof which would have protected workers from falling. Furthermore, there were no separate controls on the basket in which the other worker was standing in, leaving him stranded after his colleague fell.
Inspectors came across the firm’s risk assessment and method statement in an office room. However despite the outlining how to correctly proceed with the work, it was not specific to the job in hand.
Sentencing
After pleading guilty to Sections 4(1), 7 and 9 (2) of the Working at Height regulations Allen and Hunt Construction Engineers Ltd of Thorpe, Derbyshire, was fined a total of £267,000. Additionally, the company were ordered to pay costs of £7,750, along with a victim surcharge of £120.
Accident at work – expert advice
Accident at work compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault. Your accident at work compensation claim could also include any instance of illness linked to your past or present working conditions. More information can be found via our ‘Accidents at Work’ page.
To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .
Source: Health & Safety Executive
