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UK News - Breaking news in the field of health and safety
Proprietors of construction company fined
The 2 partners who operate a property maintenance company, Dover Building and Property Maintenance of Martin Mill, Kent, have been fined £10,000 each and ordered to pay £1,290 costs by Folkestone Magistrates after admitting breaching a duty owed to an employee under S.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of an accident to a 16-year-old.
On 2nd October 2006, in Folkestone Road, Dover, the accident victim was working for the company to gain experience while on a college bricklaying course, and on his 2nd day he was asked to clear some materials from the 2nd floor of the development on the site of the former Webbs Hotel, but he blacked out and fell through the opening created by a lift well that was under construction. He fell almost 6m to the ground floor, suffering a fractured skull, a brain haemorrhage, facial and leg injuries and extensive bruising.
The accident could have been prevented with the use of a temporary guard positioned around the lift well.
Comment:
"The construction industry continues to have a poor record regarding falls from height, which dominate the accident statistics despite a major effort by the industry and the HSE.
Any weakness in the system of work or controls used to prevent falls can lead to dramatic and life threatening accidents. If those in control fail to insist on a high standard at all times then accidents will continue to occur.
It is particularly ironic that _____'s accident occurred when he became ill and collapsed but both _____ and other workers on the site were equally likely to fall from an unprotected open edge by a slip or a trip.
The level of fine awarded against the partners shows how seriously the Court viewed this failure to look after a completely inexperienced young person but illness at work is probably more likely to involve older workers.
This accident was totally preventable in that a very basic timber or scaffold edge protection barrier would have prevented anyone working near the lift well or moving past it from falling." - HM Inspector of Health and Safety.
08.02.07
