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Developer and scaffolding contractor fined after unsecured board gave way
Howorth Scaffolding Services Ltd and Glenmill Group (Developments) Ltd have been prosecuted after a construction worker fell 5m from scaffolding on an office development in Accrington on 10th May 2006.
Peter Walton aged 55-year-old had been working on a project to build three new office blocks when he fell. Preston Crown Court heard that Mr Walton was critically injured when an unsecured board on the scaffolding gave way. He died five weeks later in hospital.
Both defendants pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by putting workers at risk.
Scaffold should have been safe to use
Howorth Scaffolding, of Accrington Road in Hapton, was fined £25k and ordered to pay over £13 toward the cost of the prosecution. Glenmill Group, of Turner Road, Lomeshaye Business Village in Nelson, was ordered to pay a nominal fine of £1 with costs of over £13k. The judge said the fines reflect the companies’ current financial situations.
HSE Inspector Ian Connor said:
“Both these companies contributed to Peter Walton’s death by failing to follow the proper safety procedures for putting up scaffolding.
Howorth Scaffolding should have made sure that it constructed the scaffolding properly. And, as the principal contractor for the site, Glenmill Group should have ensured it was safe before allowing construction workers onto it.
This is an extremely sad case which once again shows how important it is to follow health and safety regulations. It’s vital that construction companies do more to prevent deaths and injuries in the future.”