In Court

Scaffolder suffered multiple injuries when struck by 500kg concrete panel

Alison Fava

Vale Park Demolition Services Limited has been fined after a worker suffered multiple injuries when he was struck by a concrete spandrel panel.

The demolition firm had been contracted to demolish a link bridge structure at Littleborough Primary School, Rochdale. On 29 October 2015, an employee of GT Scaffolding North West Limited was struck by a concrete panel weighing approximately 500kg when he was removing scaffolding that was placed in front of the final part of the link bridge.

He suffered a broken right shoulder, five broken ribs, three fractures to the spine, a punctured lung and a broken left foot.

The HSE’s investigation found the work was not suitably planned and the stability of the panel was not appropriately considered when removing the scaffolding.

Vale Park Demolition Services Limited of Hazelbottom Road, Crumpsall, Manchester pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £4,000 with costs of £4,397.64.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector David Norton said “The incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

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