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Workman survived six storey fall into London building light well
Triton Building Restoration Ltd and Fire Escape Ltd have been fined after labourer, James Richards, fell from a roof whilst working on a London building in December 2008.
The Old Bailey heard that the company was the project principal contractor and engaged Fire Escape Ltd to restore the cast iron fire escape, external repair and painting.
Mr Richards fell six storeys (approx 18m) into an unguarded light well - a shaft in the centre of the building to give natural light. He suffered fractures to his back, arm, pelvis and rib. His lung was punctured and spleen subsequently removed.
He has been unable to return to work since the incident and still suffers pain due to his injuries.
Precautions for work at height must be monitored
Triton Building Restoration Ltd of 14 Saxon Business Centre, Windsor Avenue, Merton pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £5,000 with £11,339.55 costs.
Fire Escape Ltd of 141 Queens Road, Croydon, pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 was fined £3,500 with £11,300.55 costs.
HSE’s inspector Monica Babb said:
“This was a serious and entirely preventable incident that will affect Mr Richards for the rest of his life.
Companies should ensure that safety precautions to prevent falls from height are monitored to ensure that they are not removed where access to work at height is still possible.
Falls from height are still the biggest killer in the construction industry and the biggest single cause of death and serious injury at work. In 2008/9, there were 35 deaths and more than 4,000 major injuries caused by falls from height.”