25/03/2010 - Firm fined £4,000 over site fall
Construction firm Scotia Homes has been fined £4,000 after an apprentice joiner fell from the first floor of a building site property.
Stonehaven Sheriff Court heard that the 17-year-old trainee had been working in Laurencekirk, near Kirkside, when he crashed 9ft through an unguarded stairwell on to a concrete floor, injuring his head and legs.
The court was told that, with the exception of a plywood sheet, no guards were in place to protect the safety of employees working near the hazard.
Ellon-based Scotia Homes pleaded guilty to a breach of health and safety legislation.
Health and Safety Executive officer Alan MacKinnon said: "This incident could have been avoided. The fall protection measure in place was completely inadequate as a means of preventing anyone falling from height.
"Risks from working at height are entirely preventable. Employers working at height need to ensure that risks are fully assessed and that open edged areas of work are suitably guarded."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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