Fall from Scaffolding
Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 states that Every employer shall ensure that work at height is properly planned; appropriately supervised; and carried out in a manner which is so far as is reasonably practicable safe, and that its planning includes the selection of appropriate work equipment.
A construction company has been sentenced after a worker was seriously injured when he fell three metres off scaffolding while working on a house extension.
September 2008, the worker descended the ladder and stepped backwards over the open edge, falling three metres and fracturing his spine and ankles.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuting, found the platform had no guardrails, and a ladder used to access the working platform above was positioned outward, forcing anybody using the ladder to stand backward at the unguarded edge.
The employing company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
After the hearing HSE inspector Frank Flannery commented:
"Falls from height can cause significant and life-changing injuries and duty holders must take steps to prevent falls wherever possible.
"Mr McCarthy's injuries are serious and permanent: he has a steel rod in his back, steel pins in his right ankle, and left foot/heel. He suffers with chronic pain and has no prospect of working again. This incident could easily have been prevented by erecting guardrails along the platform."
In 2008/2009 more than 4,000 major injuries were caused by falls from height at work. More information about working at height can be found on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm[1]
