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.”
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