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A sixty two year old worker sustained serious injuries when the scaffolding plank he was standing on at a site in Warwickshire snapped. He fell two and half metres, landing on a joist and breaking his pelvis in two places. His left thigh was cut almost halfway through the muscle.
The Health and Safety Investigators found that the worker’s employer failed to show employees either a risk assessment or a method of work statement before the incident. The damaged scaffold board had not been identified, and there was no edge protection for work at height. Bags or netting, that can lessen the impact of landing, were absent.
Working at height is regulated and there are clear guidelines as to how to undertake such activities safely. This company’s failure to comply with these regulations resulted in a terrible accident and injuries that could have been avoided. It also resulted in a substantial fine of twelve thousand pounds and court costs of almost three and a half thousand pounds.
Any workers working at height should receive adequate health and safety training specific to their activity and their environment.