15/02/2011 - Firm fined over worker in coma
A construction firm has been fined £15,000 after a worker was left in a coma following an accident at work.
Carl Major, 31, was working for MacDonald Joinery & Construction Ltd to help refurbish the former Rosebys store in Stockton, Teesside. He was struck by a falling lighting pelmet and fell from a stepladder on to the floor, Teesside Magistrates' Court heard.
The company was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive, who found the firm had not identified the dangers faced by workers. It said Mr Major had not been given the necessary information before carrying out the work to enable him to do it safely and that the firm's risk assessment and system for working at height had not taken into consideration the construction of the pelmet and the wall it was attached to.
Mr Major, of Retford, received head injuries in the September 2008 accident. He spent two months in a coma and now suffers from epilepsy, the court heard. He has not been able to return to work.
The firm, based at Westthorpe Fields Business Park, Sheffield, was charged with a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It admitted the charge and, in addition to the £15,000 fine, was ordered to pay £6,228 costs.
Copyright © Press Association 2011
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