In a recent development, Profascias Ltd and its director, John Nolan, faced sentencing after an unfortunate workplace incident. The incident involved employee Andrew Smith, who suffered severe injuries, including a fractured femur, elbow, armand pelvis, following a fall from a ladder at Park Lane Primary School in Tilehurst, Reading, on 28 July 2021.
Details of the Incident: Mr. Smith was working on gutter replacement and supplying fascia boards and soffits when the ladder he was on slipped, causing the fall from a height of approximately three meters. The repercussions were significant, leading to 16 days in the hospital and subsequent surgical procedures.
HSE Investigation Findings: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conducted an investigation, revealing inadequate planning of the work at height by Profascias Ltd and Director John Nolan. The absence of a safe platform for the work, such as a properly erected scaffold, was noted. This oversight violated safety regulations, as workers needed both hands for the task and couldn’t safely operate from a ladder. The HSE emphasizes that ladders should only be used for access or short-term work, not exceeding 30 minutes, where workers can maintain three points of contact.
Legal Consequences: Profascias Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £6,000 with additional costs of £2,000. Director John Nolan also pleaded guilty and received a 12-month community order, including 180 hours of unpaid workand was ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.
HSE Inspector’s Statement: HSE Inspector Rachael Newman emphasized the severity of the injuries, highlighting that suitable work equipment selection could have prevented this incident. Falls from height remain a leading cause of work-related injuries and fatalities, underscoring the critical importance of following safety protocols.
Final Remarks: This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of overlooking safety measures in the workplace. Employers must prioritise comprehensive risk assessments and provide appropriate safety equipment to prevent accidents and protect the well-being of their workers.
#WorkplaceSafety #HSE #SafetyFirst #WorkplaceIncident #SafetyProtocols
