WORK AT HEIGHT FAILINGS
Working at height remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries in the UK. Common cases include falls from ladders and through fragile surfaces.
This month alone has seen its fair share of Working at Height failings and we are keen to delve into the surrounding issues faced by todays workers.
SCAFFOLD COLLAPSE RESULTS IN 2 INJURIES AND £106,000 FINE
Failings to select the correct type of scaffolding towers can have catastrophic repercussions.
In 2018 2 workers sustained injuries after part of a 6 meter high scaffolding tower platform collapsed.
One workers injuries included; broken ribs, tendon damage and since the incident depression and short-term memory loss.
The second worker suffered three broken vertebrae and has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The following were identified as failings:
- Tower scaffolding was not suitable for the type of work being undertaken
- Person erecting the tower was not trained or competent to do so
- The platform was erected to a height above recommendation
- The load on the platform was greater than the recommendation from the manufacturer
The facilities management and construction company was fined £106,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,501. They pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The director of the business also pleaded guilty to Section 33 (1a) by virtue of Section 37(1) of The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.
UNSAFE RAMS RESULTS IN 7.5M FALL THROUGH ASBESTOS ROOF
A £10,000 fine has been handed to a “specialist roofing” company after a worker fell 7.5m through a fragile asbestos roof.
The worker fractured his spine in two places and also fractured his pelvis, shoulder and rib after falling onto concrete.
The failings from this incident include:
- Poor planning
- Lack of control measures put in place
- No fall protection in place
- The risk assessment was insufficient for the type of work that took place
The roofing company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
BASIC SAFEGUARDS LACKING AS SUB-CONTRACTOR FALLS FROM HEIGHTS THROUGH SKYLIGHT
Failure to ensure the safety of a sub-contractor working at heights, has landed a sole trader in serious trouble. The sub-contractor suffered multiple injuries after falling through a skylight back in July 2017.
The failings from this incident include:
- Failure to ensure that work at height was properly planned
- Lack of appropriate safety supervision
- Exposed a worker who wasn’t under their employment to risks to their health and safety
The sole trader court sentencing saw him receive a 4 month custodial sentence suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £13,500 and a victim surcharge of £115. He pleaded guilty to contravening Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005
THE HIERARCHY OF CONTROL
These recent incident all point to a lack of planning and in parts a lack of health & safety training. Mitigate against the risk and follow the Hierarchy of Control.
This guide will help you to assess the risks and put appropriate measures in place to enable work at height to be carried out safely.
