A Sunderland-based construction company has been fined after a worker was knocked unconscious in a fall from a raised platform.
Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard that, on 28 August 2018, during refurbishment work at Old Eldon Farm, Shildon, a site operative fell from a raised platform. The operative was undertaking work to fit rafters to the roof at the farm, when he fell approximately 2.2 metres to the floor below, knocking him unconscious.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive , Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, found that Greens Property Developments Limited had failed to ensure that, so far as was reasonably practicable, construction work was conducted without risks to health and safety by failing to plan, manage and monitor work at height.
Greens Property Developments Limited of Chester Road, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13 (1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court. The company was fined £18,000 and ordered to pay £25,10.41 in costs.
After the hearing Health and Safety Executive inspector, Andrew Woodhall, said: “Falls from height often result in life-changing or fatal injuries. In most cases, these incidents are needless and could be prevented by properly planning, managing and monitoring the work to ensure that effective preventative and protective measures are in place.
“Companies should be aware that the Health and Safety Executive will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those who fall below the required standards.”
According to the latest Health and Safety Executive statistics, 29 workers suffered fatal injuries to due to falls from a height in 2019/20, accounting for around a quarter of all worker deaths over the year, a similar proportion to the latest five years combined.
More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/
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