Roof-fall scaffolding firm told to pay £6,500 (1 Viewer)

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A SCAFFOLDING company has been ordered to pay £6,500 after a roofer suffered "terrible" injuries in a fall from an unsafe platform.

Self-employed contractor Stephen Martin fell from the roofline of a domestic two-storey property in St Aiden Road, Bridlington, on April 17 last year, when the scaffold beneath him swung open "like a trapdoor".

He was airlifted to hospital with serious head injuries, three fractured ribs and broken bones at the base of his back.

The installation, erected two days before the fall, was signed off by Advanced Scaffolding (GB) Ltd, of North Street, Bridlington, but an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found it was not of suitable strength or rigidity for its intended purpose.

Bridlington Magistrates' Court was told the scaffolding was compromised by a bay window at the front of the property, which required a cantilever projection to be added.

The HSE said this projection was poorly planned and was not properly braced or supported.

The firm was found guilty of a breach of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and as well as a £3,500 fine, was also ordered to pay £3,000 costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Geoff Clark said Mr Martin was lucky to be alive.

"Mr Martin suffered terrible injuries from his fall at St Aiden Road, and could quite easily have been killed.

"The scaffolding was poorly planned and poorly constructed, and Advanced Scaffolding clearly failed to install a structure that was fit for purpose in this regard."

He added: "Too many lives are shattered as a result of falls from height at work, and I hope this prosecution serves to remind all employers that proper precautions must be taken at all times."

Source: Yorkshire Post
 
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another avoidable incident,:(
hope the lad makes a full recovery,does not sound good though, serious head injuries,airlifted to hospital
 
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