The construction company Kier Construction Ltd, have been fined £400,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries after falling from height.
Employee Jair Morales was installing plywood boards on the third floor of a building at a construction site in Uxbridge, when he fell 3.95m to the floor. As a result of the fall Mr Morales suffered a fractured arm and pelvis and has been unable to work since the incident.
The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) investigation into the incident found that no steps had been taken to prevent workers from falling through openings in the floor during the installation of the plywood boards. Kier Construction had failed to ensure the work was planned properly and that work was carried out in a safe manner.
HSE inspector Owen Rowley commented: "This incident could have been a lot worse. The system that Kier Construction Ltd has in place to control the risk from installing the protection for openings was not implemented on site, ultimately resulting in the accident. The risks of working at height are widely recognised throughout the construction industry. This case highlights the importance of ensuring that all work at height is properly planned and carried out safely."
Kier Construction Ltd pleaded guilty to breaches of the Work at Height Regulations SI 2005/735. The company received a £400,000 fine and were ordered to pay costs of £1,534.
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