Company and contractor fined after worker left seriously injured

The Lundy Company Limited and Justin Courtney Ford have both been fined today (08/12/2017) after a self-employed worker fell more than three metres through a fragile roof.

Exeter Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 11 August 2015, the self-employed worker was working to remove a roof when he fell over three metres onto concrete flooring. The worker suffered multiple injuries including a broken collar bone, broken ribs, a partial collapsed lung, and a head injury, as a result of the fall.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the work was not properly planned, appropriately supervised or carried out in a safe manner over a period ranging from February 2015 to August 2015. One of the defendants, The Lundy Company, failed to ensure they nominated a competent contractor to carry out the work. The work was then carried out under the control of Mr Ford without any scaffolding or safety precautions to prevent falls from height.

The Lundy Company Limited of Shottesbrooke Park, Maidenhead, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and has been fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,800.

Justin Courtney Ford of Carnyorth, Cornwall pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regs 2005, and was given a three month sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay costs of £2,500.