Construction company fined after crush injury to employee

A construction company has been fined after a worker was seriously injured while erecting a timber frame chalet bungalow.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard that in July 2017, a worker was seriously injured when roof trusses toppled over while being moved by crane at a site in East Mersea, Essex.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that scaffolding was not installed around and within the building to enable workers to have a safe area of work. Lifting the roof trusses in packs created risks which were not sufficiently managed. The company and company owner had failed to plan, manage and monitor the work under their control.

JWB (Mersea) Ltd of Westwood Drive, West Mersea, Colchester, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £1,000.

Company director and owner, Jason Whiting, of the same address, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He received a six-month custodial sentence, suspended for 24 months. He was required to do 240 hours of unpaid work. HSE was awarded full costs of £25,627.32.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector David King, said: “Lifting the roof trusses individually and securing them permanently could have prevented this accident. HSE is keen to increase awareness of the need to plan, manage and monitor construction work and ensure the health and safety of construction workers. HSE will take enforcement action if companies do not manage health and safety on their sites, including directors.”

Further information about the duties of contractors can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/principal-contractors.htm

Source: HSE – 3 June 2020