Failure to build railings around a mobile tower scaffold cost EDF Energy Contracting Ltd more than 184,000 pounds, when the company was fined and made to pay costs for not abiding by the guidelines of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
The case at Chichester Crown Court related to the accident of a 63 year-old employee of the company, who died after suffering grave skull injuries. Gordon was dismantling a mobile tower scaffold in Worthing High School in West Sussex. He was working on the intermediate platform that was more than 5 metres above the ground, when he suddenly staggered and fell off the platform. The lack of railings on the platform was a major deviation from the height safety guidelines.
For this negligence, HSE filed a lawsuit against the company. The court’s decision was in favour of HSE, and EDF was fined 160,000 pounds and had to pay costs of 24,594.98 pounds.
After the suit, Russell Beckett, HSE Inspector, expressed his regret that most of the work on tower scaffolds is done without sufficient protection for the workers. He also said that such scaffolds must always have a railing. He added that there should be no gaps between them to prevent any possibility of a fall from height. Further, these railings should be above 950mm in order to provide sufficient protection.
It is hoped that this decision will act as a wake up call for employers to provide better safety measures to employees working at a height. Working at Height training will benefit organisation in helping to minimise the risks of work at height and bring work procedures up to date with the requirements of new legislation.
