September 25, 2017

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In-court

Scaffolding safety certificates were falsified

Scaffolding

Two scaffold inspectors have been prosecuted after a worker fell through a gap between the scaffolding and the building.

Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court was told how on 26 March 2014, the 49-year old worker was working on a re-roofing project.

As he stepped down from the untiled roof onto a fixed scaffold, he fell through a gap between the working platform of the scaffolding and the building.

The worker suffered fracture injuries to his spine and had to wear a back brace for eight weeks.

False certificates

The scaffolding had been signed off as safe for use by Mr Stephen Harper and Mr Garry Arnold. The Health & Safety Executive found they had not carried out the relevant inspections and had falsified the certificates to show that all was safe for use.

Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector, Matt Greenly, said: “Scaffold Inspectors are relied upon by workers and must be trusted. Falsely completing reports without carrying out a thorough inspection can lead to serious risks being missed and life changing accidents occurring.”

Harper of Alkrington, Middleton and Arnold of Crookes, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and were each sentenced to 170 hours community service and ordered to pay £1,500 costs.

Approaches to managing the risks associated Musculoskeletal disorders

In this episode of the Safety & Health Podcast, we hear from Matt Birtles, Principal Ergonomics Consultant at HSE’s Science and Research Centre, about the different approaches to managing the risks associated with Musculoskeletal disorders.

Matt, an ergonomics and human factors expert, shares his thoughts on why MSDs are important, the various prevalent rates across the UK, what you can do within your own organisation and the Risk Management process surrounding MSD’s.

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Joe Bloggs
Joe Bloggs
6 years ago

£1500 + community service? Hang them from the highest windmill!