Ad
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
16 C
London

U.K. Edition

Kent Based Scaffolder Given Suspended Jail Sentence

- Advertisement -

A scaffolder from Surrey has begun a suspended jail sentence and placed under curfew after breaking safety regulations and verbally abusing an HSE Inspector.

Steven David Connolly was sentenced to 24 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, tagged and ordered to pay £2,000 costs by Medway Magistrates.

The court heard how the man employed seriously unsafe working practices, erecting scaffolding at a site in Kent on 19th August 2016. Mr Connolly refused to take advice, and instead launched a tirade of bad language and abuse, when approached and asked for his identity by a female HSE inspector. The worker then left the scaffold in an unsafe and incomplete condition offering no warning for subsequent users.

The following HSE investigation revealed Connolly was not only working unsafely, but was also putting himself at risk of a serious fall from the scaffold, under construction.

Mr Connolly from Lower Kingswood, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 6(3) and 8(a) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

HSE inspector Andrew Cousins commented after the hearing: “An already worrying situation was compounded by the defendant’s unwarranted abuse of a public official and then leaving the scaffold in a perilous condition. He effectively obstructed the inspector in the exercise of her duty by his attitude, language and behaviour as well as his refusal to provide his identity or who he was working for.

“Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in the safe system of working. Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.”

The HSE continues to take any breaches of safety extremely seriously.

- 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...

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

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

Pilosio to Unveil Pioneering Scaffolding and Formwork Solutions at Bauma 2025

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

Doka Unveils Cutting-Edge Innovations Ahead of Bauma 2025

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

360 Degrees Consultancy Wins Top Industry Award

360 Degrees Consultancy Ltd has been crowned Consultancy of...

AT-PAC Strengthens U.S. Team with Key Appointment

Scaffolding systems provider AT-PAC has appointed seasoned industry figure...

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...
- Advertisement -

Popular Categories