“Earlier that day, boards had been delivered and laid across a large opening in the floor where a staircase was to be installed,” the HSE said.
“The boards did not cover the entire opening, and no edge protection had been installed around the remaining gap. There was no signage warning of the danger and Mr Jones had received no instructions regarding his safety around this area.”
He fell three metres to the ground and suffered multiple fractures and a dislocated shoulder. He spent a month in hospital recovering from his injuries.
An investigation by the HSE found that the risk of falling through the gap in the floor had not been addressed, as no preventative measures had been taken, and no site supervisor or manager was present when the incident occurred.
HSE guidance on working at height states that employers must take precautions to prevent falls from heights that could cause serious personal injury, including falls into floor openings.
According to the HSE, Ace Infra Ltd, of 31 St James Drive, Burton, Carnforth, Cumbria, pleaded guilty at Lancaster Magistrates Court on 23 December to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 by failing to ensure that suitable and sufficient measures were taken to prevent any person working at height from falling a distance liable to cause personal injury.
The company was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay £4,799 court costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge, the HSE said.
HSE inspector Derek McLauchlan said: “Everyone working in construction has a responsibility to ensure that people are safe. Any work at height is potentially high-risk and requires proper planning and implementation.
“This incident could have been avoided had appropriate control measures and training been in place. Despite the serious injuries sustained, a fall of this height and nature could have resulted in far worse outcomes. Lessons must be learned from this case.”
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Nicola Harley