(PRWEB UK) 9 December 2013
As a result of the incident, Bradley White suffered four broken bones in the bottom of his back, a broken hip and pelvis, a shattered femur, four fractures to his left arm, a fractured right wrist and ligament damage. Following the accident, he was hospitalised for three weeks, and he has had to undergo numerous operations. (1)
Michael Davies had employed the 27-year-old to replace the roof on a large industrial unit at W & S Recycling, on Nuffield Industrial Estate in Poole, which is owned and occupied by Geoff Thompson. (1)
Mr Davies, and Mr Thompson, were both prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation found they had failed to ensure the work could be carried out safely. (1)
Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court heard on the 29th November 2013, that Mr White had been working on the roof of the warehouse, when suddenly his foot went through one of the fragile cement sheets. He fell to the concrete floor approximately six metres below. (1)
The resulting HSE investigation found there was no edge protection, safety netting, or any other measure in place at the warehouse, measures which may have prevented Mr White falling, averting his injuries. (1)
Commenting on the incident, Thomas Fairclough, Asons Executive, stated that;
“Falls at work are the most common cause of workplace deaths, with falls through fragile surfaces accounting for a fifth of fatalities.
“Fortunately, Mr White’s injuries were not fatal. These injuries were sustained because Mr Davies and Mr Thompson failed in protecting him from the risks of working at height, despite being fully aware of the dangers involved.
“An accident at work, like this, could easily have been avoided, had the correct health and safety procedures been implemented – in this case, they weren’t.”
Michael Davies, of Kingston Road in Poole, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, by failing to ensure workers were not put a risk. He was fined £2,500, and ordered to pay costs of £2,000. (Reference: HS29112013) (1)
Geoff Thompson, who trades as W & S Recycling, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 9 of the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007, by failing to ensure the arrangements made for managing the project were suitable. Mr Thompson, of Nuffield Road in Poole, was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay costs of £5,000. (1)
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector James Powell said:
“The dangers of working at height are well known, yet workers undertaking roof work and building maintenance sometimes die or are permanently disabled because of the poor safety standards and lack of safeguards that still exist among some contractors.
“It is essential that the hazards associated with working at height are recognised and understood by the client who commissions the work. The client must make sure the individual or company they employ is competent to carry out roof work and is aware of the hazards and precautions that need to be taken for the work to be carried out safely.”
According to the HSE, 40 workers were killed, and more than 3,400 were seriously injured, in falls from height in 2011/12. (2)
If you, or someone you know, have suffered, then you may be able to make a fall at work claim. Asons Solicitors deal with construction related personal injury claims, and industrial diseases such as occupational asthma and vibration white finger, you can contact them on: 01204 521 133 or you can fill out their claim form at http://www.asons.co.uk.
1. Poole Worker Seriously Injured in Warehouse Roof Fall - http://press.hse.gov.uk/2013/poole-worker-seriously-injured-in-warehouse-roof-fall/ - HSE December 2013
2. Falls from height in the workplace - http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm - HSE December 2013
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About Asons Solicitors:
Asons Solicitors is a Bolton-based law practice that specialises in personal injury and industrial disease claims. Founded by brothers Imran Akram and Kamran Akram, Asons Solicitors has developed to become a young and dynamic law firm that delivers practical solutions to clients in times of difficulty. Their continued focus on their staff has seen them awarded with the Investors in People “Gold Award”; which is reflected in the professional and personable approach they take in working with clients. They strive to grow and to develop, and their supportiveness and attention to detail ensures that their clients use them time and again.