Modus Workspace fined £1.1 million + costs after worker fell from ladder

London-based relocation and refurbishment company Modus Workspace Limited, was fined £1.1 million plus costs of £68,116 after a worker was seriously injured when he fell from height.

The circumstances were:

• Modus Workspace Limited were the principal contractor at a site in Hemel Hempstead. 
• On 5 September 2016, an engineer was testing a sprinkler system for leaks. 
• Modus failed to provide reasonably practicable measures to prevent a fall from the internal roof and was therfore not meeting their obligations as principal contractor.
• This applied to both the engineer and other contractors working on the roof.
• He climbed onto an internal roof and used an extension ladder to inspect the leak.
• The ladder slipped away from him.
• He fell almost three metres into the gap between the internal roof and the external wall. 
• He suffered severe blood loss, amounting to around half of his bloodstream. He required a blood transfusion and needed 14 stiches to his head.  
• He also sustained a fractured vertebrae and suffered soft tissue damage.

The HSE inspector said: “This case highlights the importance of taking reasonably practicable measures when planning and managing the risks regarding work at height within the construction industry. Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities and injuries in this country and the risks and control measures associated with working at height are well known. The engineer’s injuries were life changing and he could have easily been killed. This serious incident and devastation could have been avoided if basic safety measures had been put in place.”

Phillips 66 fined £1,2 million after accident with high pressure, high temperature steam

Oil refinery company, Phillips 66 Ltd was fined £1.2 million + costs for safety breaches after two workers in North Lincolnshire suffered life-changing injuries from an uncontrolled release of high pressure and high temperature steam.

The circumstances were:

• Phillips 66 Limited’s had a safe system of work which included isolating plant.
• On  30 October 2013, two workers were  re-assembling high pressure steam pipework following maintenance of a steam turbine driven pump.
• A number of personnel involved in the implementation of the company’s safe isolation procedure of the steam system failed to complete all the required checks and verifications.
• During the re-assembly, the two workers were exposed to an uncontrolled release of high pressure, high temperature steam of around 250oC.
• One worker, who was 53 years old, received burns to his lower back and legs.
• The other, a 20-year-old apprentice, received extremely serious burns to his torso, chest, arms and legs. At the time of the incident, these injures were life threating.
• The company was fined £1.2 million and ordered to pay £20,450 in costs

The HSE inspector said:
“Safe systems of work procedures are in place to ensure the health and safety of workers. Companies should ensure that all relevant employees and personnel who are involved in their operation and execution are suitably trained and competent to complete their roles within the system. Where a significant risk gap leads to an incident which results in injury to workers, HSE will take the appropriate enforcement action irrespective of the size of the organisation.”