The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently reported on a case involving contract workers who were working at height without adequate safety measures and therefore putting pedestrians at risk.
The contractors were working on a tower platform in St Helens with inadequate protection for pedestrians walking underneath. It was a member of the public who spotted that the property developer, Copelare Ltd, was working with inadequate site safety measures in place and they reported their findings to the HSE. Appearing at the Magistrates Court in St Helens at the beginning of this month (1st April) the property firm, based in Liverpool, was fined £7,000 along with £1,496 in costs for the risk it posed to the general public.
In this case, it is clear the business in question failed to adequately plan for the work that was being carrying out. They should have provided the necessary protection from any objects which could potentially fall by putting mesh in place to prevent any objects or materials from falling and posing a risk to passing pedestrians. Alternatively, the company could have set up an exclusion zone for those at ground level.
Ideally, businesses should try to avoid carrying out work at height wherever possible. However, if the work simply cannot be avoided, it is vital that employers take appropriate measures to ensure that neither workers nor the general public are placed at risk as a result of their work. In addition, the employer must put plans in place for any emergencies and rescue. It is also important to consider how certain weather conditions might pose a risk to safety.
If you or your loved one has suffered as a result of an accident while working from height, and you’d like to discuss your legal options, give us a call on 0800 028 2060 or contact us online here. You can also request a call at a time convenient for you here.