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October 4, 2013

£20,000 fine following fall in Leicester Square

A contractor has been fined after a worker fell four storeys from an unguarded edge breaking his left leg and several bones in his foot.

Surrey-based Beck Interiors Ltd was the principal contractor for a major project to renovate the Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square when the incident happened on 5 March 2012.

Following an investigation by the HSE, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that the 35-year-old sub-contractor was working in a loft overlooking a plant room after taking an alternative route from the roof areas of the building.

His fall was two-staged as the unguarded edge was above a plant room. He fell into the room and then through a riser duct for an air-conditioning system, where he then fell a further four storeys. The total distance was more than 14 metres.

The HSE investigation found that there was no edge protection in the loft to prevent a fall and the riser duct for the air-conditioning was exposed because a sturdy cover had been removed, with just a plastic sheet to keep out the dust, which offered little resistance as he fell through it.

It appears the metal sheeting at the bottom of the duct may have partially cushioned the impact and may have saved his life.

The court heard that had the edge been adequately protected then the incident could have been avoided. Secondly, a properly secured cover for the duct could also have prevented the initial one storey drop from becoming worse.

The court also heard that Beck Interiors was aware of the need to improve its management of work at height risks, having received written advice from HSE officials and independent safety advisors following earlier visits to this site and others.

Becks Interiors Ltd, of Cox Lane, Chessington, was fined a total of £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £13,365 after pleading guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the HSWA 1974.

Following the hearing, HSE inspector Stephron Baker-Holmes said: “This case highlights the need for principal contractors to proactively manage work at height risks, and to take appropriate action to prevent or mitigate falls.

“The company expressed regret, but asserted that the injured person should not have been in the loft area. However, the fact is that others were also accessing the loft, and the risk of falling should have been adequately controlled.”

In mitigation, the company co-operated with the investigation and took remedial action, including securing the edge and installing a more significant cover on top of the riser. They looked at and undertook training and reviewed their work at height issues. They also pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. 

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