Worker's back injuries attract fine
14/05/2010
A firm has been prosecuted after a worker suffered serious back injuries in a fall at a building site.
There were no guardrails to stop Graham Parkin falling from a work area at the Corn Mill in Burley, West Yorkshire, the health and safety executive found.
He fell more than three metres, fracturing his back and suffering long-term disability problems.
Acting principal contractor at the site at the time of the 2008 accident was Illson (Builders & Contractors) Ltd, of North Parade, Burley in Wharfedale.
The firm has been fined £5,000 over a breach of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and ordered to pay costs of £1,800.
Illson also pleaded guilty to a charge under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 for failing to notify HSE that construction work was due to take place on site.
Kendal Varley Ltd, Mr Parkin's employer, also pleaded guilty to the same CDM Regs charge.
Bradford Magistrates Court heard that because both companies were the clients for the work, they should have appointed a Construction Design and Management co-ordinator (CDMc) to notify HSE of the construction work. Their failure to do so led to the responsibility for non-notification reverting to them.
Kendall Varley Ltd was given a fine of £2,000 and costs of £1,800.
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