Man lucky to escape more serious injuries following fall

Two London-based construction contractors have been fined after a scaffold board broke and a member of staff was injured in the fall to the ground.

Southwark Crown Court heard Sager Construction Limited (SCL) had been appointed the principal contractor for the construction of a shopping centre and residential units in Studd Street, Islington.

In February 2015, a 64-year old employee of formwork contractor SDSL was working to install a primary beam in the basement when he fell three metres from the platform.

The worker suffered fractures to both of his feet and deep cuts to his head and arms as a result of the fall.

A subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that workers were allowed to work off scaffold boards which were in a poor condition. In addition, the companies involved tolerated particularly poor practices in relation to work at height.

Sager Construction Limited pleaded guilty to breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, and has been fined £34,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,577.

Shaun Dixon Services Ltd was found guilty of breaching Regulation 13 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 at an earlier date. The company has since entered liquidation and has been fined £160,000 and ordered to pay costs of £15,119.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Gabriella Dimitrov said: “The worker is lucky to have not sustained more serious injuries as a result of this fall from height.

“It is entirely foreseeable that accidents will occur where work at height is being carried out without suitable work platforms and other measures to prevent workers from falling. HSE will take action to ensure that duty holders are held to account for any failings.”

It is important to seek expert legal advice if you believe you have the grounds to pursue a personal injury claim.  For guidance please contact our head of Dispute Resolution Stephen Silverman (ssilverman@ogrstockdenton.com) or visit our website.

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