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Workman paralysed in fall on domestic extension project
Fine Construction UK Ltd, of Walton-on-Thames, Surrey has been ordered to pay over £23k in fines and prosecution costs after a workman fell over 3m through a roof light opening during the building of an extension to a domestic property in west London in February 2008
Boarding to cover the roof lights was not in place nor was there crash deck beneath the opening to limit the impact of a fall. The employee suffered serious back injuries and can no longer use of his legs.
Kevin Shorten, HSE Inspector, said: “Forward planning, vigilance and a willingness to spend time and money on suitable safeguards could prevent incidents like this one and avoid the personal and financial trauma associated with them.”
Comment: The proportion of fatal injuries occuring on domestic extension projects is increasing. This is perhaps not surprising in the light of the recent HSE refurbishment blitz across GB which found poor conditions on a significant number of such sites. Developers on commercial projects and contractors carrying out domestic extension work should therefore expect even greater attention from regulators in the coming months.