Fine for Demolition Company After Fatal Fall From Height

26th July 2022

A company carrying out dismantling and demolition work has been fined following a worker’s fatal fall from height.

The incident occurred in Fife, Scotland, in February 2019, and saw the worker fall 30 feet when part of a pipe bridge platform that he had been working on gave way, suffering multiple injuries and sadly passing away.

An investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) alongside Police Scaffold, found that a section of the metal grating on the pipe bridge that had been in use at the time of the incident was significantly corroded. The company had failed to record the hazardous condition of the pipe bridge, and as a result had failed to carry out an appropriate risk assessment.

Furthermore, the risk assessment which had formed part of the final revised method statement, had failed to address the corroded nature of the pipe bridge, despite it having been highlighted and requested by the client previously. The HSE went on to identify that the company had not put all necessary control measures in place to inform employees of the hazardous condition of the pipe bridge, or to prevent access.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £5,000.

This case highlights the critical importance that carrying out a sufficient risk assessment by qualified individuals when working at height. SIMIAN’s Scaffolding Consultancy service provides risk management surveys amongst a host of other areas, to ensure your workforce is operating safely at height, at all times.