Engineer carrying out work on an internal roof suffered significant injury and blood loss when he slipped and fell from height in September 2016. Luton Crown Court heard evidence that the ladder slipped away from him while inspecting a sprinkler system leak. The fall resulted in the engineer falling into a gap between the internal roof and internal wall three metres below. Due to the extensive blood loss, the engineer received a blood transfusion, and required 14 stitches to his head injury. He also sustained a fractured vertebrae and soft tissue damage.
Investigating the accident, the HSE found that no precautions were taken to prevent a fall, in particular the principal contractor, Modus Workspace Ltd was found at fault as it failed to discharge its duty to ensure those not in its employment were aware of the risks, in particular those of falling from height.
Modus Workspace Limited of Greencoat Place, London was found guilty after a five-week trial of breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £1.1 million and ordered to pay costs of £68,116.18.
After the sentencing, HSE Inspector John Berezansky, concluded: “This case highlights the importance of taking reasonably practicable measures when planning and managing the risks regarding work at height within the construction industry.
“Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities and injuries in this country, and the risks and control measures associated with working at height are well known.
“The engineer’s injuries were life-changing, and he could have easily been killed. This serious incident and devastation could have been avoided if basic safety measures had been put in place.”
TB Davies works in a wide range of industries supporting companies large and small in selecting and training staff to use appropriate equipment to ensure that accidents such as this do not happen at all.
