HSE warns those responsible for people working at height to take precautions to prevent incidents

HSE/SCO/159/2009 10 September 2009

A Glasgow-based construction company has been convicted of failing to ensure proper health and safety standards after an apprentice joiner was severely injured.

The 20-year-old worker fell nearly four metres through an opening in the floor after the loose sheet of plywood which had been placed over the opening gave way. The accident happened on the upper floor of a new primary School being built in Kyleakin Road in the Arden area of Glasgow.

The incident, on 28 June 2007, happened because the floor opening had not been suitably protected by either robust edge protection or properly supported and fixed boarding. As a result of the fall the worker sustained serious neck and other injuries.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court today (September 10) City Building (Glasgow) LLP of 350 Darnick Street, Glasgow, was fined £20,000 after pleading guilty to a breach of Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspector Annette Leppla is now warning those who are responsible for working at height to take sensible precautions to prevent accidents.

"This accident was entirely foreseeable and preventable," Ms Leppla said. "The worker was severely injured because his employer failed to do enough about the risks associated with working at height."

"It was down to chance alone that this incident did not result in a permanent injury or even fatality."

"For a period of several days, floor openings had been left just covered with loose sheets of plywood which were totally unsuitable for that purpose."

Notes to editors

1. Section 2 (1) of the health and safety at Work etc Act 1974 states: "It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees."
2. Section 2(2) (a) and ( c ) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 state: "Without prejudice to the generality of an employer's duty under the preceding subsection, the matters to which that duty extends include in particular-
   (a) the provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health;
   (c) the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees"
4. More information about working safely at height can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR Scotland.