As construction workers are often required to work in precarious circumstances, injury at work can come from anywhere.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) recently published two similar, yet unrelated, reports which together serve to highlight the many dangers faced by construction workers. Strangely, both refer to an incident in which workers were either injured or put at the risk of injury as a result of fragile roof surfaces.
First Report
The first report details a £24,000 fine imposed on UTS Engineering Ltd, who were undertaking extensive repairs to the roof of their premises in late 2013. This was dangerous work, but UTS Engineering Ltd failed to take reasonable steps to ensure that all workers involved were protected from the risks of falling.
HSE inspected their site and found evidence of poor planning, including a failure to ensure that the job would only be carried out by a competent professional. A number of safety measures were identified, all of which the company should have taken but failed to.
UTS Engineering Ltd will doubtless strive to exercise due diligence in future. Not only are preventative measures essential for ensuring that workers are protected from injury, they also serve to safeguard companies against fines. Though nobody was hurt in this instance, a £24,000 fine is not an inconsiderable amount.
Second Report
Less lucky is one Mr Allibon of Beekay Scaffolding Ltd, employed to work on a site run by Industrial Roofing Services. The second report details how both companies were prosecuted by the HSE for failing to take steps that would have prevented Mr Allibon from falling through a fragile roof.
In this instance, Mr Allibon’s employers did put some protective measures in place, but Mr Allibon was working on a different part of the roof at the time which was not protected, due to poor management and ineffective implementation of safety plans.
Construction Injury Claims
Together, these reports make it clear that construction sites are dangerous places. For this reason, employers and contractors are legally required to take steps to keep their workers safe. All manner of systems, equipment and procedures can be used to minimise or eliminate the risk of injury. As a result, when these steps are not taken, employers and contractors might find themselves prosecuted by the HSE and facing a personal injury claim from an afflicted worker.
If you have been injured at work and would like to discuss your compensation claim, please contact our expert Personal Injury team in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.