Will roofer's injury encourage use of facilities management health and safety processes?
July 19th 16:24 Health and Safety
A recent incident in Bridlington, which saw a roofer suffer multiple fractures, could inspire a number of firms to adopt facilities management health and safety processes.
Bridlington Magistrates' Court heard how contractor Stephen Martin fell almost six metres from a scaffolding platform, cracking three ribs and suffering fractures to the base of his back.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Advanced Scaffolding, which had erected the platform two days earlier, had signed it off as safe despite it not being of "suitable strength or rigidity".
HSE inspector Geoff Clark said: "Mr Martin suffered terrible injuries from his fall … and could quite easily have been killed.
"Too many lives are shattered as a result of falls from height at work, and I hope today's prosecution serves to remind all employers that proper precautions must be taken at all times."
The firm was fined £3,500 and ordered to pay another £3,000 in costs after being found guilty of breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
