by constructaquote - 27 March 2017
Construction giant Kier Construction Limited, have been fined £400,000 after a worker fell from a height.
The City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that Mr. Jair Morales was applying plywood boards to sheathed holes on the third floor at a site in Middlesex. Mr. Morales plunged a distance of 3.95m to the ground below.
The court heard no crucial steps had been taken to prevent Mr. Morales from falling through the opening as he fitted the plywood boards, resulting in Mr. Morales fracturing his arm and pelvis, causing movement difficulty and prevents him from returning to work.
A thorough investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Kier Construction failed to ensure the work was carried out in a safe manner.
Keir Construction Limited, of Bedfordshire, was found guilty of breaching section 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and ordered a pay fine of £400,000, and a further fee of £1,534.
“The risks of working at height are widely recognised in the construction industry. Cases like this highlight the significance of ensuring work is properly planned and carried out safely.”
What is the HSE?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the national independent watchdog for work-related health, safety, and illness. It acts in the public interest to reduce work-related death and serious injury across Great Britain’s workplaces.
“This case highlights the importance of ensuring that all work at height is properly planned and carried out safely.”
The Law
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, is part of the health and safety legislation. The law places a duty on all employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all their employees at work.
Find out more about how to prevent construction injuries in our article: How To Prevent Serious Construction Injury And Satisfy The Law.
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