Man Hit By Falling Masonry In Bristol
A lift engineer is in a critical condition after he was hit by falling masonry while working at the bottom of a shaft in Bristol.
The 35-year-old sub-contractor was taken to Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, with serious head injuries after being rescued from the building site at the former NatWest bank in Marsh Street.
A specialist rope team from Avon Fire and Rescue was sent in to retrieve the man, along with paramedics and a doctor from the Great Western air ambulance.
An ambulance spokesman described the man's injuries as life-threatening.
A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said: "We are aware of this incident and have sent inspectors on to the site to carry out initial inquires to establish what happened."
The injured man was working for building firm Miller Construction.
A spokesperson for Miller Construction (UK) confirmed that there was a serious incident at their site involving one of their sub-contractors.
Copyright © PA Business 2008
David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: "The circumstances of this terrible work accident are currently the subject of a detailed investigation by the Health and Safety Executive. Workplace legislation is in place which is intended to ensure that employers protect workers from injury or death from falling or being hit by falling objects.
"In appropriate cases, workers should also be provided with safety equipment (e.g. hard hats) designed to reduce the injuries caused by falling objects.
"The construction industry remain the sector in which most workers sustain injuries in work accidents.
"I have pursued numerous cases against building firms following injuries to workers in accidents at work."
If you have been injured at work, you may be able to claim work injury compensation.