Two companies have been fined £46,000 in total after a labourer fractured his skull.
The 46-year-old, who was 43 at the time, was on the first floor in one of the new terraced properties after being instructed to clear up debris and mortar that had been left behind by bricklayers.
He had climbed up the first floor using a ladder at the stairwell opening, which had been covered with temporary boards. The boards were slid apart to allow access to the first floor.
Intending to sweep the debris down the stairwell opening, the man lifted up one of the temporary boards and stepped forward as he was going to lean it against a wall. However, he fell through the stairwell opening onto the ground floor below as there were no floorboards underneath the temporary boards.
He fractured his skull, sustained multiple broken ribs and needed a plate to be inserted into his collarbone.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found the principal contractor and the contractor in control of the work activity, had failed to plan, manage and monitor work at the site to ensure it could be carried out safely. Any worker accessing the first floor was at risk of injury due to a lack of appropriate measures for preventing falls from height.
HSE guidance can be found at: Construction – Working at height industry health & safety
Challenger Building Services Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulation 2015. The company was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay £1,991.32 in costs at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 23 October 2023.
Total Brickwork UK Ltd, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulation 2015. The company was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay £1,991.32 in costs at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 23 October 2023.
Employers can take simple, practical measures to reduce the risk of any of their workers falling while working at height.
Every employer has a duty to manage the health and safety of those they employ or those who may be affected by their undertakings. Ensure risks are assessed, and take action where it has been identified that control measures are needed.
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