Expert Concerned By Latest String Of Workplace Incidents

A workplace injury specialist at Irwin Mitchell has called for lessons to be learnt from the health and safety problems which have blighted the Westfield shopping centre in Stratford during its construction.

Three serious incidents have taken place at the new retail centre in the past week alone, with one worker suffering back injuries in a fall from height and another hit by an electrical shock which led him to fall from a ladder.

A glass tile also fell close to London’s Mayor Boris Johnson and others attending the official opening of the site yesterday (September 13th).

The recent events follow other issues which have emerged on the site during its construction, including the death of one worker in December 2009.

Stephen Nye, a workplace injury specialist at Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office, said: “The recent problems are the latest in a line of safety concerns to be raised at the shopping centre during its construction.

“Health and safety must always be a priority in the workplace but these issues are a major worry. Construction is one of the more hazardous industry sectors and it is vital that a positive health and safety culture is in place, with proper co-ordination between the various contractors involved in the project.

“It is hoped that each of the individual incidents is investigated thoroughly, to provide reassurances that lessons are being learnt and that such incidents will not be repeated as this major project proceeds to its conclusion.”