A construction company and a plastering firm have been fined after a worker suffered serious injuries from a fall through a hole cut into a floor during the refurbishment of a property at in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.
Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard how on 27 July 2017, R&B Plastering Limited were contracted out to a site of the Principal Contractor (PC), Robert Normal Construction Limited. An employee of R&B Plastering Limited was working as a dry liner.
The worker was on the second floor of the property near a hole that had been cut to help the passing of plaster board being moved up from the level below. The worker fell around 3 metres through the hole. He sustained fractures to his vertebrae and ribs, and severe bruising.
The extent of his injuries meant he needed to be hospitalised for nineteen days and wear a back brace for six months. Due to the incident, he suffers ongoing physical and psychological issues.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there was insufficient protection around the hole via covering or access. R&B Plastering Limited had carried out a risk assessment but it was deemed inadequate, and the PC hadn’t received it before work started.
The PC’s own policy stated the requirement to review any sub-contractors’ risk assessments before commencing works. By not following this policy the PC failed to review R&B Plastering’s risk assessment.
Robert Norman Construction Limited of Framlingham, Suffolk were found guilty in their absence to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and have been fined £140,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,426.
R&B Plastering Limited of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and have been fined £26,700 and ordered to pay costs of £8,426.