A builder has been prosecuted after a worker fell from a scaffold and suffered serious injuries at a construction site in Heanor, Derbyshire.
Nicholas Lawrence Birkin of Beach Road, Nottingham pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) and Regulation 8(a) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. He has been fined £2,400 with £840 in costs.
Derby Magistrates' Court heard that the employee fell five metres from scaffolding at the site on 22 April 2017. His injuries included deep lacerations to his face, which required 40 stitches along with a fractured eye socket and wrist.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the worker, who was working under the control and direction of Mr Birkin, was using an electric hoist and wheelbarrow to lift roof tiles up to the scaffold platform. The scaffold guard rails had been removed from a 1.6 metre-wide section to facilitate the lifting operation. However, the worker fell while attempting to tighten the fittings securing the hoist.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Andrew Bowker said: "Those in control of work at height have a responsibility to ensure that safe methods of work are used.
"This incident could have been fatal, Mr Birkin failed to provide other means of falls protection once the scaffold guard rails had been removed.
"Following the accident, the defendant hired in a conveyor type tile hoist which has enabled the job of lifting roof tiles to be done with the scaffold guard rails still in place. This has delivered both a safer and more productive site at relatively little cost."
(LM/MH)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Construction News
30/10/2017
Builder Prosecuted After Worker Seriously Injured In Scaffolding Fall
Latest Construction News
25/11/2024
Estilo Interiors has been selected to help Bruntwood SciTech as they invest a further £2.4 million into Birmingham as part of a plan to transform its Mclaren innovation hub. The project, located less than five minutes' walk from the future HS2 Curzon Street Station, will involve the building ...
25/11/2024
Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP) has reached a significant milestone at Aylesborough Close in Arbury, with the completion of a topping-out ceremony. CIP board members, ward councillors, One Public Estate, Homes England and the CIP team gathered to lay the final brick at the highest point of ...
25/11/2024
Lovell has appointed Nicola Colley as head of land in the West Midlands, boosting the business' expertise in land opportunities. Having previously worked at Lovell for 12 years, Nicola has returned to a brand-new role at the national housebuilder, bringing with her experience from Taylor Wimpey ...
25/11/2024
Stepnell has commenced enabling works for a significant £9 million refurbishment of the Grade II listed Town Hall in Hugh Town, located on St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly. Spearheaded by the Council of the Isles of Scilly in partnership with Scilly Arts & Heritage, the project marks a pivotal ...
25/11/2024
Morgan Sindall Construction has successfully completed the restoration of West Bromwich Town Hall and Library, restoring the significant building to its former glory for the community to enjoy. Prior to the project's handover, Morgan Sindall gave a presentation to the SMBC Members and Town ...
25/11/2024
Persimmon Homes Severn Valley has donated 10,000 bricks to AccXel, the Construction Skills Accelerator Centre in Cinderford. The contribution will enable students at the Gloucestershire-based facility to gain hands-on experience and develop essential skills for the construction industry. The ...
25/11/2024
Nearly a year after work began, significant progress is being made at Huddersfield station as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU). This transformative project aims to modernise the key northern transport hub while preserving its rich heritage as a Grade I listed building. One of the ...
25/11/2024
Renovating a property can be a challenging and complex process, especially when integrating new and existing building elements. At R Elliott Associates Ltd, we specialise in helping clients navigate these challenges by providing expert planning, design, and support to pre-empt any potential ...
25/11/2024
Northumbrian Water has announced a significant investment of £3.5 million at its Great Ayton Sewage Treatment Works (STW) to enhance its capacity to manage stormwater. The project involves the installation of a new storm tank capable of holding up to 317 cubic meters of combined rainwater and ...
25/11/2024
Balfour Beatty Flannery, a partnership between Balfour Beatty and Flannery Plant Hire, has trained its 1,000th student at its Operator Skills Hub. With over 250,000 additional workers needed in the construction industry by 2028, Balfour Beatty Flannery's Operator Skills Hub is key in addressing ...