Somerset firm fined after man falls from platform

Date:

21 July 2011

Release No:

HSE06 /SR/SW/11

A Somerset firm has been fined after a man broke his back, arm and ribs after falling three metres whilst working on a barn conversion.

Mark Clarke was helping to renovate his employer's property Heathfield Barn at North Petherton, Bridgwater when the incident occurred on 11 October last year.

Taunton Magistrates Court heard he was working on a gable end wall when he fell from a trestle work platform. Although some measures had been put in place to prevent such a fall, these were described as inadequate.

Mr Clarke, aged 55, from Bridgwater is no longer able to work in the construction industry as a result of the injuries he sustained.

UK Storage Company (SW) Limited, of Unit 3 East Quay, Wylds Road in Bridgwater, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £2,680 in costs.

After the hearing, inspector Steve Frain from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) commented:

"Employers need to ensure there is adequate supervision and fall protection in place while renovation activity of this nature is undertaken. UK Storage Company (SW) Limited failed to do so, and had not taken suitable steps to prevent Mr Clarke from falling from the platform.

"Mr Clarke's injuries were so severe that he may be unable to work in the construction industry again."

In 2008/2009 over 4000 major injuries were caused by falls from height at work. For more information, visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm.

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
2. Section 4 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states. Every employer shall ensure that work at height is- (a) properly planned; (b) appropriately supervised; and (c) carried out in a manner which is so far as is reasonably practicable safe, and that its planning includes the selection of work equipment in accordance with regulation 7.

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