A Glasgow-based demolition firm has been fined after a worker fell from a mobile scaffolding platform, sustaining serious injuries …
DSR Demolition Limited has been sentenced for safety failings relating to working at height. The incident, which occurred at Hillington Industrial Estate in Glasgow, involved a 50-year-old worker.
On the 30 December 2011 the employee was carrying out work from a mobile scaffolding platform. The investigation found a cable tray swung towards the worker as he was cutting it from the ceiling. It hit him in the shin and knocked him off balance. The man fell five feet from the platform causing significant injuries.
Among the list of injuries sustained was a fracture to his right elbow and his left arm, which required surgery. His head was also bruised. Since the incident he has been unable to return to work.
The investigation, which was carried out by the Health and Safety Executive, found the fall occurred due to failure to erect the platform correctly. It was missing guard rails and toeboards.
Additionally, there was no suitable risk assessment in place for the use of mobile scaffolding platform. No inspection had been carried out on it before use.
HSE Inspector Graham Mitchell said: “The injured person was at risk of falling because the tower was not put together properly. Work at Height Regulations require those in control of work at height to take sufficient measures to prevent injuries and this fall could have been easily prevented.”
The firm received a £5,000 fine after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
