Company fined after worker suffers life changing injuries

A construction company has today been fined after a worker fell through a roof and suffered life changing injuries.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how, on 22 October 2015, the self-employed joiner was working on the construction site at Claremont Terrace, Glasgow, when he fell approximately 3.6 metres onto a pile of timber cut-offs. The employee sustained multiple fractures to his ribs and to his spine.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that although the company had a risk assessment in place, there were no sufficient measures in place to prevent falls through a void in the roof of the building.

Fleming Buildings Limited of Auchinloch Road, Lenzie, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and Section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £9,335.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Graham Mitchell said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known. This incident might have been prevented if suitable and sufficient measures had been in place such as a crash desk or safety net.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the standards required.”

Notes to editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. www.hse.gov.uk
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk