Construction deaths rise

Sentence after window installer injured at prison

Four different duty holders have been fined after a worker was injured while replacing a window at Leeds prison.

Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard how a window on the third floor at Leeds Prison was in need of replacing. Four parties were involved with the installation and all were charged with safety breaches for their part in the incident.

Stuart Tombs was the site manager via his own company SJT Site management Limited (SJT). SJT was contracted by Longcross Construction Limited (LCL), the principal contractor for the window replacement work.

Fewell Engineering Limited (FEL) were subcontracted by LCL, and it was an employee of FEL who was pushing a trolley with the new window on it when the incident occurred.

The court heard an employee of SJT was operating a mobile elating work platform (MEWP) and driving it to the location of the work when one of the wheels struck the FEL employee and partially ran over his feet.

The injured man suffered multiple fractures in his right foot, a fracture of his left ankle and significant soft tissue damage to both feet.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred on 8 September 2014 found that Longcross ConstructionLimited, Fewell Engineering and SJT Site Management Limited, all failed to prepare suitable and sufficient Risk assessments and method statements for the operation.

It was also discovered Stuart John Tombs forged or fabricated site health and safety documents in an attempt to deflect responsibility.

Fewell Engineering Limited, of Fairfield Works, High Wycombe Buckinghamshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £702.

Longcross Construction Limited, of Hill House, Little New Street, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £303.

SJT Site Management Limited, of Watling Street, Bridgtown, Cannock, Staffordshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and was fined £600 and ordered to pay costs of £199.

Stuart John Tombs, of Bondway, Hednesford, Cannock, Staffordshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 33(1)(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and was fined £100 and ordered to pay costs of £149.

For further information on mobile elevating work platforms visit: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis6.htm

About Dylan Garton

Dylan Garton is a co-founder, video producer and editor for the Skill Builder social media platforms.

Check Also

the ugly truth about reinforced aerated autoclaved concrete raac youtube thumbnail

The Ugly Truth About Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (RAAC)

Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (RAAC), is in the news right now because days before the kids go back after the summer break somebody in the corridors of power had a panic attack.