Construction firm fined for unsafe scaffolding use
January 8th 17:42 Health and Safety
The issue of good facilities management in the construction industry has been raised by the fining of on builder who was found to be putting his employees at risk.
Angus William Naylor of Driffield, a partner of WM E Naylor & Son, was ordered to pay £8,000 at Bridlington Magistrates Court after being prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
He pleaded guilty to breaking working at height regulations following a routine inspection by the body in April 2009, which found that unsafe scaffolding was being used that exposed workers to falls of up to five metres.
"Falls from height remain the largest cause of fatal and serious injuries in the construction industry," observed HSE inspector Geoffrey Clark.
He added that the prosecution should serve as a reminder to all firms that they need to ensure their scaffolding is "fit for purpose".
The HSE issued a similar warning last month, after prosecuting Pullan Development (Selby) for using a structure that was "extremely unsafe".
