Power Plant Accident

A power company and contractor have been fined a total of £510,000 after a worker was killed when he fell 12 metres from a platform at work.

The worker was helping put equipment in a deep pit when he fell through a gap in the floor of the platform.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that part of the floor was removed and that the gap was unprotected. It was also shown that inadequate precautions had been taken to protect workers, and that there was confusion between the company and the contractors as to who was responsible for the work.

The company were found to have breached section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the contractors were found to have breached regulation 11(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

The HSE said after the hearing;

“This tragic case highlights the consequences of failing to do something as simple as adding protection to an opening in a walkway. Inadequate planning and a poor choice of safety control measures meant that a very obvious hazard remained. Both companies had a duty of care to the worker that they failed to meet – with catastrophic consequences. This awful incident could so easily have been prevented had the correct safety measures been taken. Employers have a duty to manage the risk of falls from height, including providing protection around the edge of openings. It is completely unacceptable this sort of risk was not managed.”

The HSE also remind us that employers must risk assess the workplace and put health and safety measures in place to deal with such risks.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident at work, Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors can provide expert advice. Please contact us using the above details.