£7,000 fine after office collapse
13/05/2010
An architect and a builder have been fined a total of £7,000 after a worker was seriously injured when part of an under-construction office block collapsed in Kirkham, Lancashire.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that a misplaced concrete support pillar was to blame for the accident, which happened in October 2008.
Officers found the block resting on the ground rather than driven into the foundations, as it should have been.
Blackpool Magistrates' Court fined Peter Wallace, of the Wallace Partnership, and Jack Smith (Builders) Ltd after both pleaded guilty to violations of health and safety legislation.
HSE inspector Allen Shute said: "It is common sense that the pillar supporting the floors should have gone into the foundations, and not just rested on the floor below. It's vital companies learn lessons from this to prevent similar incidents happening in the future."
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