A contractor has been fined after workers were caught breaking out a floor they were standing on with no safety measures in place.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that during a safety inspection on 23 May 2018, a number of issues in relation to working at height were identified.
These included several unprotected edges, where a person could fall a significant distance and also a floor that was being removed by a handheld breaker whilst workers were standing on it. There were also no measure in place to prevent the workers falling if the floor collapsed.
An HSE investigation found that the risk assessment identified measures that needed to be implemented.These measures were not implemented and therefore created a significant risk of people falling, and causing serious or fatal injury.
The company in question pleaded guilty to breaching safety regulations and was fined £26,666 and ordered to pay costs of £1135.10 plus a victim surcharge of £120.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Matthew Whitaker said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.
“Work at height is dangerous and should be planned correctly and the required measures implemented”.
