Company fined £1,000 for putting workers at risk
A building company has been fined for putting workers at risk of personal injury by using unsafe scaffolding.
The Driffield-based company was today fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £799 costs at Beverley Magistrates' Court.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that scaffolding was unsafe and posed a risk of serious, if not fatal, injuries.
The court heard that employees working at the first floor extension were put at risk of a work accident due to the chance of a fall of up to four metres.
The scaffolding had no edge protection and an access ladder was too short and not secured. Following the hearing HSE Inspector, Geoff Clark said:
"Falls from height remain the largest cause of fatal and serious injuries in the construction industry. The scaffolding at the Shane Homes construction site was dangerous and people should not have been expected to use it."
He also said that the law is quite clear and there is guidance provided by the HSE and industry bodies on the required standards for working at height.
Last year hundreds of accident claims were filed as more than 4,000 employees suffered major personal injuries after falling from height in workplace accidents, and 21 workers in the construction industry had a fatal fall.
Updated on 11/03/2010