Ad
Saturday, July 5, 2025
19.5 C
London

The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008  |  U.K. Edition

Apex Scaffolding Services fined over fall death

- Advertisement -

 

A scaffolding company and two of its personnel have been fined after one of its workers died in a fall in Sussex.

Apex Scaffolding Services (Sussex) was fined £3,000 for safety failings after Joe Murphy, 31, fell to his death in Washington Avenue, St Leonards on Sea.

Director Michael Walsh, from Hastings, and Leslie Hustwayte, a supervisor from St Leonards, were fined £1,500 and £2,000 respectively.

Hastings magistrates ordered them to pay £2,500 costs each, and Apex £5,000.

The court heard the company, based at Court House, Hooe, Battle, had been in trouble over unsafe working practices even before Mr Murphy’s death in August 2009.

In December 2008 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued a Prohibition Notice against the firm and some employees relating to safety breaches on scaffolding.

‘Missing’ hand rails

Such a notice requires work to stop until the issue has been resolved.

But the executive said poor attitude to safety in the organisation had continued.

HSE representatives told Hastings magistrates that Mr Murphy had been constructing a scaffold “over-roof” at the property in St Leonards when he had fallen.

The executive was not able to establish how far he had fallen, but it said an investigation had identified “a number of defects” with the scaffolding at the site, including missing hand rails and incomplete scaffold platforms.

The charges against Apex and Walsh related to a failure to ensure the safety of workers at height and inadequate supervision.

Hustwayte was also prosecuted for failing to use adequate safety equipment.

The company and individuals had pleaded guilty to all charges at a previous hearing.

HSE inspector Melvyn Stancliffe said after the hearing: “HSE and the scaffolding industry have worked together to produce easy-to-follow guidance to help contractors ensure their scaffolding is safe.

“So there is no excuse for compromising safety, as was clearly the case here.”

Via: bbc.co.uk

- Advertisement -

Popular this week >

South Molton Scaffolding Delivers Complex Temporary Roof Project

South Molton Scaffolding Ltd has successfully completed a technically...

PERI Showcases Rail Access Innovation at Rail Live UK

Scaffolding and formwork expert PERI has showcased its latest...

Palmers Scaffolding Hits One Million Hours Without a Lost Time Incident

The milestone has been hailed as a major safety...

Construction Skills Drive Targets 100,000 New Recruits

A new Construction Skills Mission Board meets for the...

Lindsey Oil Refinery Enters Liquidation

One of the UK’s major oil refineries has gone...
- Advertisements -

Related Articles >

Scaffolder Dies After Fall at Hong Kong Site Despite Wearing Safety Harness

A 62-year-old scaffolder has died after falling from a construction site in Hong Kong, prompting an investigation by authorities. The scaffolder was working at a site in Fanling, a residential and industrial area in...

Latest Topics

Enigma Expands in Aberdeen with Major Investment in New Premises

National scaffolding and industrial services provider Enigma Industrial Services...

Palmers Scaffolding Hits One Million Hours Without a Lost Time Incident

The milestone has been hailed as a major safety...

Kirtanlal Partners with Leach’s to Raise Middle East Safety Standards

Kirtanlal Scaffolding & Formwork has announced an exclusive partnership...

PERI Showcases Rail Access Innovation at Rail Live UK

Scaffolding and formwork expert PERI has showcased its latest...
- Advertisement -

Popular Categories