Hartlepool Man Left Paralysed After Incident

The fine handed out to an electrical company after an employee was seriously injured in a fall from height highlights just how devastating such work accidents can be, an expert has outlined.

Skanska Rashleigh Weatherfoil Ltd has been ordered to pay £120,000 and costs of £81, 927 over the industrial accident in 2007, when a cable installer was knocked out of a scissor lift and fell eight metres to the floor.

The worker from Hartlepool, who was tying cables to overhead trays when they fell on him, suffered serious spinal injuries in the accident at work and remains paralysed from the waist down.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, Skanska Rashleigh Weatherfoil Ltd had failed to ensure the workers involved in the project on the cable tray system were safe.

David Urpeth, national head of workplace injuries at Irwin Mitchell, said the fine highlights why working at height has to be carefully planned and organised.

He explained: “A huge number of the clients we represent have had their lives devastated after suffering serious injuries in falls from height.

“This has got to change and I hope that, if any good can come from terrible incidents like this, it is that employers fully recognise their duty to protect their staff and ensure they are given the tools and advice to carry out their roles in the safest possible manner.

“Workers deserve reassurances that health and safety is a top priority for the companies they are employed with.”