21/01/2011 - Fine after man shatters leg in fall
A demolition worker is unlikely to work in the construction industry again after he shattered his leg and broke his wrist when he fell 7ft through a garage roof.
The man, who does not want to be named, fell through the fragile asbestos cement roof while demolishing a block of single-storey garages in January 2009.
Grimsby Magistrates' Court heard that he had to have several operations for pins and plates to be fitted into his limbs and required crutches for more than a year. Since the incident he has been out of work and is in constant pain, despite bouts of reconstructive surgery.
Contractors across the UK might see this case as a reminder to make sure their businesses keep on top of all health and safety risks on site to avoid higher liability insurance costs.
The man's employer, H Cope & Sons Ltd, was completing work on sites in North East Lincolnshire demolishing garages. The injured employee had only been with the Grimsby-based firm for four months at the time of the accident. He was working with a colleague in Walmsgate Place, Grimsby, when the roof gave way.
After the incident, Health and Safety Executive investigations found the firm's planning was inadequate and failed to take into account how the garages were constructed.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the demolition company, H Cope & Sons Ltd, of Moody Lane, Grimsby, under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company, which pleaded guilty, was fined a total of £12,000 with costs of £3,570.80.
Copyright © Press Association 2011
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