A construction firm based in Gateshead has been fined for safety failings that led to a worker being injured…
Meldrum Construction Services has been fined for failing to provide a safe environment for workers after an employee was injured.
The Gateshead-based firm was the principal contractor on a refurbishment project in Newcastle upon Tyne.
The case, which was brought before Newcastle upon Tyne Magistrates’ Court, revealed how the worker fell down a service riser shaft. Meldrum Construction Services failed to plan for temporary platforms to be installed to provide a safe work area. Instead, temporary floors were installed to specifications that had not been designed for. The worker fell after the temporary surface collapsed beneath him. He fell 4.5 metres on to the floor below. Subsequently, he gained injuries from the fall, including spraining both ankles.
The incident was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It was found that Meldrum Construction Services “failed to plan and manage the construction phase of the project”.
Meldrum Construction Services was fined £120,000 and was ordered to pay costs of £1,969 after pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
Managing director of Meldrum Construction Services Dave Meldrum said: “This is a very regrettable incident which is not representative of our stringent and uncompromising approach to health and safety on every site we work on.
“Sadly our established temporary works policies were not followed by the highly-experienced site manager on this occasion, which the court accepted was caused by oversight due to human error.
“Nevertheless, as principal contractor on this project Meldrum Construction Services takes responsibility for what happened, although we are considering our position with regard to the level of fine imposed.
“We have had a very good safety record throughout our 15 years in business and we are committed to the highest possible standards. Since this incident, we continue to invest heavily to improve our commitment to health and safety even further, particularly with regard to temporary works.
“We have employed a second dedicated health and safety manager, doubling our resource within the business, to help enforce even more rigorous checks and to ensure every one of our employees is fully trained and aware of their health and safety obligations at all times.”
