A construction company has been fined after a worker was seriously injured while erecting a timber frame chalet bungalow.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard that in July 2017 an incident occurred at a site in East Mersea, Essex which left a worker seriously injured when roof trusses toppled over while being moved by crane.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conducted an investigation into the incident and found that scaffolding was not installed around and within the building to enable workers to have a safe area of work.
There were also risks associated with lifting the roof trusses in packs that had not been sufficiently managed and the company had failed to plan, manage and monitor the work that had taken place.
Colchester based, JWB (Mersea) Ltd, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £1,000.
Company director and owner, Jason Whiting, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He received a six-month custodial sentence, suspended for 24 months and he was required to do 240 hours of unpaid work.
Jeremy Sirrell a Partner at Palmers and Health and Safety expert said: “This case highlights the importance of having sufficient health and safety plans in place including sufficient supervision of work taking place.
If you are concerned about your businesses’ safety procedures then it is important that you seek specialist advice at the earliest convenience”.
For help and advice on all aspects of health and safety law including putting in place strategies to protect your workforce, please contact us today.