Case 'Demonstrates Dangers Of Falls From Height'

Hertfordshire firm Benchmark Fabrication has been fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs after a 47-year-old employee fell and fractured his pelvis in an accident at work.

Denis Cronin was dismantling racking at a temporary warehouse in Hitchin when one of the beams he was straddling splayed and sent him falling two metres onto a wooden pallet, fracturing his pelvis in three places in the process.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive revealed that the worker and a colleague had been told by a manager to climb the racking in such a manner, which was also standard practice at the company.

Stephen Nye, a workplace injury specialist at Irwin Mitchell who represents those hurt as a result of safety failings, said: “Another week and yet another fine in relation to a scenario when a worker has suffered a serious injury at work.

“As recent HSE prosecutions have shown, falls from height are a very common way in which people are hurt at work and it seems that many employers are simply failing to properly acknowledge the dangers and put measures in place to protect their staff.

“This case also highlights just how devastating such work accidents can be for those involved, as this employee needed more than three months to recover from the injuries he suffered.

“It is an incredibly important that employers recognise the potential risks and a case like this demonstrates just why.”

Our accident at work lawyers could help you claim compensation if you’ve fallen from height at work. Visit our falls from height claims page for more information.