The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has this month warned employers that they must control the risks of falls from height in the workplace. This warning follows an HSE prosecution of a construction company after an incident which led to the death of an employee in Bilsthorpe.
F J Chalcroft (Construction) Ltd of Hamlin Way, Norfolk, were fined a total of £320,000 by Nottingham Crown Court after pleading guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The 22 year old worker died when he fell more than 10 metres after leaning on an unsecured handrail on the mezzanine area of a cold store which was under construction at the premises of Phil Hanley Ltd, on the Belle Eau Industrial Park, Nottinghamshire in November 2003.
HSE inspector Cliff Seymour said, "This was a tragic accident which resulted in the death of a young man with his life ahead of him. Falls from height remain the most common kind of accident causing fatal injuries. Latest figures show that 46 people died from a fall from height at work in 2005/06, with 3,351 seriously injured. Companies involved in building, refurbishment or maintenance should ensure that the work is planned properly and sensible measures taken so that workers are not exposed to risk."
The HSE have a page on their website dedicated to falls from height, which can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm.
