Fall from height costs two companies £21,000

Two companies are having to share fines and costs totalling £21,000 after a 38-year-old worker suffered a fall from height fracturing two veterbrae and being unable to work for seven months. The reason for his injury? He was working at height without the proper safety precautions having been implemented.

The man was working on a mobile scaffolding tower, but the tower had not been erected to the manufacturer's specifications. Even worse, industry guidelines had not been followed and the platform the tower was placed on was unsuitable. There were no guard rails to protect the man on the tower, either.

The HSE prosecuted principal contractor Thomas Long & Sons and subcontractor M-tech Engineering, who were both working at the Convent Street, Nottingham site. Thomas Long & Sons received a £6,000 fine and £3,000 in costs. M-tech received an £8,000 fine and also £3,000 in costs.

The fines, costs, and injury could all have been prevented with proper training and procedures implemented on site. C&D Consultancy offer such training under the title of Working at Height. The course includes:

• Employer / employee responsibilities
• Health and safety law
• Understanding risk assessments
• Pre-shift safety inspections
• Electricity hazards
• Emergency procedures
• Hazards at height and ground level
• Safe working practice with ladders and access systems
• Practical session and assessment (if full day)
• Question & answer paper

Please email Jill if you would like to know more about this or any other course we offer.

Source: HSE