Ad
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
14.1 C
London

U.K. Edition

Company fined for labourers fall from scaffolding

- Advertisement -

The HSE have reported that a Kent renovation company has been fined for safety failings after an unsupervised labourer fell more than four metres from a poorly constructed scaffold tower whilst stripping out a basement gym in central London.

The Romanian national, who does not want to be named, fractured two vertebrae and broke five ribs in the fall at a building on Farringdon Road in Farringdon on 19 April 2011.fall FROM HEIGHT

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard today (23 January) he was part of a crew of labourers working for Swanley-based MJM Fitout Ltd to remove ventilation ducting from a two-storey gym in the basement.

A scaffolding tower was erected to support the work and was being used by the worker to access ducting from a ceiling above a squash court. However, it was knocked over as he worked at height and both he and the tower crashed to the floor below, a distance of some 4.5 metres.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identified that none of the temporary labourers was competent to erect a scaffolding tower, and that it was constructed without adequate supervision.

A district judge was told the incident could have been prevented had the work been properly planned, managed and monitored by MJM Fitout.

The company, of Horizon House, Azalea Drive, Swanley, Kent, was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £3,500 in costs after pleading guilty to a single breach of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.

After the hearing HSE Inspector Keith Levart said:

“The worker suffered painful injuries that could have been avoided had the labour crew been properly managed, and had their work on site been adequately monitored by MJM Fitout Ltd.

“The temporary staff had effectively been left to their own devices and were working in an unplanned and unsafe manner. It illustrates the clear need for companies to have practical arrangements in place to ensure that all personnel involved in and undertaking construction work understand what is expected of them, and are able to co-operate and communicate with one another.

“Work at height from scaffolding poses clear risks, and should only ever be undertaken by competent personnel with the right equipment, knowledge and experience.”

- Advertisement -

Popular this week >

NASC and SAA Unite to Boost Global Scaffolding Standards

In a landmark move for the global scaffolding industry,...

TRAD UK Hits £30,000 in Annual Fundraising Challenge

The company raised target three times as employees and...

Doka Unveils Cutting-Edge Innovations Ahead of Bauma 2025

Austrian formwork and scaffolding giant Doka is preparing to...

Service and Support: The Values Driving Commercial Success for Layher Customers

Businesses overlook good customer relationships at their peril. It...

Layher Set to Showcase New Era of Scaffolding at Bauma 2025

Layher, the global scaffolding innovator, is preparing to make...
- Advertisements -

Related Articles >

Scaffolding Company Hit with £30,000 Fine Over Safety Lapses

A Merseyside scaffolding company has been fined £30,800 after an investigation found workers had been using an unsafe scaffold at a construction site in Merseyside. A.I.M Access Solutions Ltd, based in Kirkby, was prosecuted...

Latest Topics

Avontus Employee to Run London Half Marathon in Honour of Loved Ones

An employee at scaffolding software company Avontus is preparing...

Pilosio to Unveil Pioneering Scaffolding and Formwork Solutions at Bauma 2025

Italian construction solutions specialist Pilosio will unveil an extensive...

New Scheme Aims to Transform Apprenticeship Experience in Construction

A new initiative designed to reward and support apprentices...

Mark Parkin Joins Scaffolding Association as Strategic Director

The Scaffolding Association has appointed seasoned industry leader Mark...
- Advertisement -

Popular Categories