Modified scaffolding results in fine
September 29, 2008
A Staffordshire company is being fined £2,000 after health and safety breaches in which unsafe scaffolding was used.
Steve Emery Roofing has also been ordered to pay costs of £1,160 after its breach of regulations governing working at height.
Employees of the firm modified scaffolding in order to make passing roof tiles to the ground easier but these changes made it possible to fall four metres from the structure.
Spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Martin Overstall describes a fall from this height as potentially fatal.
He says there were "wide gaps" and an absence of edge protection on some of the levels.
Claiming a comprehensive risk assessment would have covered working at height, he says this would have allowed the company to avoid this hazard.
"Proper planning for such work and taking necessary precautions to prevent falls are often simple," he adds.
In related news, the HSE has announced it will be performing spot checks on construction sites in Derbyshire and will be primarily targeting those which use scaffolding.
Steve Emery Roofing has also been ordered to pay costs of £1,160 after its breach of regulations governing working at height.
Employees of the firm modified scaffolding in order to make passing roof tiles to the ground easier but these changes made it possible to fall four metres from the structure.
Spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Martin Overstall describes a fall from this height as potentially fatal.
He says there were "wide gaps" and an absence of edge protection on some of the levels.
Claiming a comprehensive risk assessment would have covered working at height, he says this would have allowed the company to avoid this hazard.
"Proper planning for such work and taking necessary precautions to prevent falls are often simple," he adds.
In related news, the HSE has announced it will be performing spot checks on construction sites in Derbyshire and will be primarily targeting those which use scaffolding.
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
