Construction firm fined after worker's fall from height

A construction firm has been fined GBP 10,000 and ordered to pay GBP 19,000 in costs after a worker suffered multiple injuries in an accident at work.

The 28-year-old employee of Fred Lewis Scaffold Company fell seven metres through a roof in Stoke-on-Trent.

Fenton Magistrates' Court heard that Gary Hampton shattered his thigh bone, bruised his lungs, broke both wrists, broke two vertebrae and cracked another in the fall and spent six weeks in hospital.

He will never be able to carry out any manual work again due to the lasting effects of his injuries.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident found the company did not prepare or survey the job properly at the outset and failed to supervise or train its employees adequately.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Alastair Choudhury said: "This case highlights both the dangers of working on fragile roofs and the continual exposure of scaffolders to the risk of falling from height.

Posted by Wayne Weir

Related Articles

02/04/2009 - Company fined after unguarded machine causes work injury

31/03/2009 - Newcastle council backs hse campaign to reduce work injury

27/03/2009 - Seven work injuries add up to large bill for council

03/04/2009 - Contractors warned of fire risk on construction sites

03/04/2009 - Injury claim launched for brain-damaged demolition worker

07/04/2009 - Shoulder injury results in compensation

08/04/2009 - Welder receives compensation for work injury

09/04/2009 - Firm fined after double work injury

14/04/2009 - Hse reminds employers of workplace responsibilities

15/04/2009 - Teachers awarded gbp18m compensation in 2008