A North East firm has been fined after a roof fall which injured two workers when they fell around ten feet from a mobile telehandler platform.
The men were in a raised basket as they installed roof beams during the building of a steel-framed building at a farm in Goxhill, Lincolnshire, when the roof fall happened in October 2013.
The basket had not been properly secured and the men suffered internal injuries and multiple fractures.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), prosecuting, told Scunthorpe Magistrates’ Court that the equipment was not suitable for such an operation and the work was not adequately planned or supervised.
Employer Henzell Enterprises Limited, of Elyhaugh Farm, Long Framlington, Morpeth, pleaded guilty to breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £5,000 plus £10,147 costs.
HSE inspector David Stewart said: “It was the responsibility of the company, to ensure that work at height was planned and carried out in a safe manner.
“I hope employers take note of this case and ensure that work at height, including the selection of appropriate equipment, is planned in detail and managed closely so as to prevent accidents to workers”
During 2011/12, 40 workers were killed and around 3,400 badly injured falling from height.
Macks Solicitors have an expert team of lawyers who may be able to help you recover compensation if you are injured in an accident at work. Fill out our claim form to arrange a consultation.
