Property firm fined after worker falls
A London property development company has been sentenced after a migrant worker suffered severe head injuries when he fell from scaffolding at a warehouse.
The 46-year-old fell more than five metres from an incomplete tower scaffold - being used to remove floor beams from two levels of a warehouse.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the client who employed the man as a principal contractor, failed to implement a number of measures that could have prevented the incident.
HSE inspectors found asbestos in debris from the demolition work and discovered that no asbestos survey had been conducted prior to work starting.
At least six Chinese migrant workers who spoke very little English had been demolishing floors and moving debris around, potentially exposing themselves to asbestos fibres. The worker who fell from the scaffold suffered life-threatening injuries to his head, pelvis and spine and can now only walk with difficulty.
The company pleaded guilty and was fined £37,500 and ordered to pay costs of £5,459.90.
Speaking after the sentence, HSE Inspector said:
"A vulnerable worker was left with devastating injuries as a result of the consistently poor attitude to safety this company has displayed."
Updated on 9/20/2011