Fall From Height In Wigan
A Merseyside contracting company has been fined £25,000 after a worker died because necessary safety precautions were not taken.
CRN Contracts Ltd from Birkenhead (formerly Concrete Repairs NW Ltd) admitted two charges under health and safety legislation after worker David Battisson fell ten metres through a PVC light and subsequently died in hospital.
The 49-year-old was applying anti-corrosion paint to the bolts on the roof of The Range superstore in Wigan on May 27 2005 when the incident happened. He was then taken to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, where he died from his injuries.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the company for failing to use proper safety procedures and the Birkenhead firm was fined £25,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,086 at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty.
HSE Inspector Warren Pennington said: "CRN Contracts Ltd did not provide adequate supervision of the work. It should have used boards to cover the fragile roof lights, and protected the area around the perimeter of the roof. The company also failed to cordon off the floor under the section of roof it was working on to protect the public from the work."
CRN Contracts Ltd was charged with having contravened Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
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David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: “I welcome the fine imposed following this tragic work accident.
“Falls from height represent a major source of serious and fatal accidents at work.
“Given the risks posed by working at height, employers need to ensure workers are provided with a safe system of work designed to prevent injury or death in a work accident.
“I regularly see the misery caused by falls from height many of which could easily have been avoided.”
If you have lost a loved one due to an workplace accident, our serious injury solicitors could help you claim compensation to help get the answers you deserve. For more information visit our fatal accident claims or fall from height claims page.