A scaffolder who fell through a fragile roof has suffered significant life changing injuries that left him unable to talk or move…
Hemel Hempstead Scaffolding Limited has been fined after a worker fell and sustained life changing injuries.
The accident occurred in July 2013 when the man was carrying out scaffolding work in preparation for the installation of solar panels on a roof in Hertfordshire.
Stewart Thomas, aged 31, was placing scaffold boards along the ridge of the roof when he fell through the fragile roof of the property on to the concrete floor eight metres below.
Thomas gained multiple injuries during the fall, including serious head and neck damage. His brain stem was injured and his lung was punctured. He also suffered broken ribs and a lacerated liver. As a result of the incident, he was left unable to talk, to move or feed himself and requires residential care.
The case, which was brought before St Albans Crown Court, saw Hemel Hempstead Scaffolding plead guilty to breaching section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act, 1974. The firm was fined £110,000 and ordered to pay £22,596 in costs.
After the hearing Thomas’ mother Karen Coffey said: “My granddaughters are going to miss out so much on the things they would have done and learnt from Stewart.
“Since my son Stewart’s accident all our lives have been dramatically changed – hopefully we can try and move forward to make Stewart’s life as best we can with his family close by him.”
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out an investigation following the accident and found there was no risk assessment nor a method statement for the work. There was also no fall protection measures in place and a lack of appropriate supervision for inexperienced and trainee scaffolders on the site.
Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Stephen Manley said: “The company’s approach to health and safety was poor.
“They failed to properly and safely plan the work they were contracted to carry out and failed to supervise inexperienced young workers.
“The particular works would have been unfamiliar to the team and so the lack of thorough supervision was lamentable.
“As a result of their failings a young father has been left being unable to communicate or look after himself and he will never be able to play with his young daughter.
“When working at height, there is a high likelihood of serious injury or death if safe procedures are not put in place and adequate steps taken to ensure they are followed”.
