Firm fined GBP 15,000 after liftshaft fall
September 15, 2008
J and D Property Services is being fined £15,000 after an employee suffered an accident while working at height.
In addition, the company will pay costs of £5,000.
A subcontractor was injured when he fell down a liftshaft well which had been improperly secured.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Work at Height Regulations Act after the concrete layer fell four metres.
Sarah Wadman, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) construction inspector, claims the employee was injured when he stepped on panelling which collapsed beneath him.
She says: "The boarding that had been put in place was more dangerous than the opening itself, because it provided a false sense of security to those who worked nearby."
The HSE says the edges of the liftshaft had not been made safe as they were inadequately protected.
It also concludes the company was at fault for the accident as it allowed an unsupervised apprentice to supply the protective measures.
Last week, J Guest was fined after an accident in which worker was injured from a first-flight fall.
In addition, the company will pay costs of £5,000.
A subcontractor was injured when he fell down a liftshaft well which had been improperly secured.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Work at Height Regulations Act after the concrete layer fell four metres.
Sarah Wadman, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) construction inspector, claims the employee was injured when he stepped on panelling which collapsed beneath him.
She says: "The boarding that had been put in place was more dangerous than the opening itself, because it provided a false sense of security to those who worked nearby."
The HSE says the edges of the liftshaft had not been made safe as they were inadequately protected.
It also concludes the company was at fault for the accident as it allowed an unsupervised apprentice to supply the protective measures.
Last week, J Guest was fined after an accident in which worker was injured from a first-flight fall.
More Working at Height news:
Police seminar 'includes working at height training' - December 24, 2008Worker fined GBP 2,500 after accident - December 24, 2008
Hospitality workshop focuses on slips and trips - December 2, 2008
Final slice of health and safety Cake - December 1, 2008
British Gas pays £4,700 after accident - November 28, 2008
