Construction company, Greens Property Developments, has been fined £18,000 after a worker fell from a platform and broke his wrist
Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 28 August 2018, during refurbishment work at Old Eldon Farm, Shildon, a site operative of Greens Property Developments fell from a raised platform. The worker was undertaking work to fit rafters to the roof at the Farm, when he fell 2.2 metres to the floor below, knocking him unconscious.
HSE investigation
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Greens Property Developments Limited had failed to ensure that, so far as was reasonably practicable, construction work was carried out without risks to health and safety by failing to plan, manage and monitor work at height.
Greens Property Developments pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13 (1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £18,000 and ordered to pay £25,10.41 costs.
After the hearing HSE inspector, Andrew Woodhall, said: “Falls from height often result in life-changing or fatal injuries. In most cases, these incidents are needless and could be prevented by properly planning, managing and monitoring the work to ensure that effective preventative and protective measures are in place.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those who fall below the required standards.”
Regulation 13 (1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
Duties of a principal contractor in relation to health and safety at the construction phase
13.—(1) The principal contractor must plan, manage and monitor the construction phase and coordinate matters relating to health and safety during the construction phase to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, construction work is carried out without risks to health or safety.
