April 3, 2019

In court

Park Lane fall: ‘Simple’ inspection could have prevented injuries

Two companies have been fined after a landscape gardener suffered serious injuries following a fall.

On 24 July 2013, a team of landscape gardeners were working on a traffic island at the Mayfair Car Park, Park Lane, London, when a member of the team stood on an unstable grille. The grille, which was not fixed into position, gave way and the 29 year old fell 11 metres into the ventilation shaft underneath, suffering serious injuries to his back and ankle.

Investigating, the HSE found the ventilation grilles should have been inspected and maintained in order to identify any movement of the grilles.

Bouwfonds European Real Estate Parking, of L-2346 Lugembourg, 20 rue de la Poste, Luxembourg, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay costs of £18,000.

Saba Infra UK, of Oak House, Reeds Crescent, Watford, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £45,000 with costs of £40,000.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Kevin Shorten said: “This traumatic incident could have been prevented by simple building maintenance inspections.”

The Safety Conversation Podcast: Listen now!

The Safety Conversation with SHP (previously the Safety and Health Podcast) aims to bring you the latest news, insights and legislation updates in the form of interviews, discussions and panel debates from leading figures within the profession.

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts, subscribe and join the conversation today!

Related Topics

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments