Bolton, United Kingdom (PRWEB UK) 20 September 2013
Self-employed Builder, James Beeston, had been hired to conduct minor building modifications and repairs, at a factory located on Station Road, Bagworth. Some of the work involved replacing roof lights, which consisted of single strip of Perspex, which ran along each section of the factory roof. (1)
Leicester Magistrates’ Court heard on the 12th September, that a sub-contractor was also working at the factory, Kline Wilkins, 45, of Coalville. He was assisting Mr Beeston as he attempted to replace the lights with solid strips of roof sheeting using a jig. Working from a board over one of the old Perspex roof lights, he attempted to operate the jig. Mr Beeston was instructing Mr Wilkins, explaining to him how to correctly install the lighting. Moving out of the way, Mr Wilkins fell back through a fragile Perspex light fitting, falling three metres to the floor below. (1)
Mr Wilkins was quickly airlifted to hospital, after suffering a fractured neck and right arm; he also sustained soft tissue damage to his kidneys and hip. Unfortunately, he has been unable to return to work since the incident, but hopes that he will be able to do so in the next two months. (1)
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident, on 7 May 2013, discovered that Mr Beeston had not provided any suitable safety equipment, to prevent someone working on the site from falling through the fragile roofing material. (1)
Commenting on the incident, Thomas Fairclough, Asons Executive, stated that;
“Falls at work are the most common cause of construction industry workplace deaths, with falls through fragile surfaces accounting for a fifth of the fatalities. Luckily, these injuries were not fatal. However, Mr Wilkins has still endured a serious personal injury, suffering damage that could have been prevented, had the correct health and safety procedures been implemented.”
James Beeston, of Limby Hall Lane, Swannington, Coalville, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 9(2)(a)of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The court fined him £3,000, ordering him to pay costs of £397. (HSE/M/222/13)(1)
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Tony Mitchell, stated:
“Mr Wilkins is lucky to be alive, as work at height on fragile roofs is a significant cause of fatal incidents. The risks are widely known in the construction industry, as are the measures needed to reduce those risks.
“Companies or individuals, such as Mr Beeston, who don’t provide a safe system of work or fail to comply with the required standard can expect to be brought before the courts.”
If you, or someone you know, have suffered, then you may be able to make a fall at work claim. Asons Solicitors deal with personal injury claims on a regular basis, you can contact them on: 01204 521 133 or you can fill out their claim form at http://www.asons.co.uk
(1) Builder fined after worker fall through roof -
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2013/rnn-em-22213.htm - HSE September 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.
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