Safety Signs News

Worker suffers crushed vertebra in fall from height

26th April 2010 | Health and Safety Signs

An engineering service firm from South Yorkshire has been fined £1,000 after one of its employees sustained severe back injuries in a fall from height.

The worker was roofing a 'lean to' building at a Toyota Manufacturing (UK) site in Burnaston between August 20th and 21st 2008 when he fell almost four metres to the ground.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspection found that the man - who suffered a crush vertebra and two fractured bones - was not protected by the adequate safety equipment.

His employer, Ultimate Industries, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 at Southern Derby Magistrates' Court and was ordered to pay £2,125.20 in costs, in addition to its fine.

"Working on roofs can be a high risk activity if the right measures are not taken to protect workers and falls can result in life-changing injuries or even death," said HSE inspector Samantha Farrar.

"This case shows the need for companies to ensure that work at height is properly planned and supervised and that appropriate equipment is provided."

Last week, European Metal Recycling was fined £8,000 after one of its workers crushed his hand in a magnet conveyor.

Posted by Jason Nicholls ADNFCR-2754-ID-19742543-ADNFCR