Wandsworth Construction Firm Fined After Worker Breaks Back
Suffered four fractured vertebrae after fall at Wandle Road site
Wandsworth based construction firm has been fined just under £100,000 having been found guilty of a breach of regulations after a worker at one of its sites fell from a height and broke his back.
Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court heard that the individual was working for West Hill Projects next to a large opening in a flat roof on Wandle Road. He fell about 3.3m through the opening to the ground below and suffered four fractured vertebrae, a fractured rib and a scalp wound. He was unable to work for several months following the incident.
A West Hill Projects site
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the firm had failed to take any measures to prevent people on site falling through the opening in the flat roof. People had been working in the area in the days beforehand and the company had not properly planned the project.
West Hill Projects Ltd of Seymour Road pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company was fined £95,604.80 and ordered to pay costs of £988.80.
Speaking after the incident HSE Inspector Owen Rowley said, “The risks associated with work at height are well known throughout the construction industry. West Hill Projects Ltd failed to control the risk on site and one of its workers suffered serious injuries as a result.
“It is vitally important that those in control of work at height implement suitable and sufficient measures to prevent falls. The simple step of installing edge protection around the opening could have prevented this incident from occurring.’
October 24, 2017