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Spring 2021 35 www.hae.org.uk www.eha.org.uk T wo companies have been fined after a worker sustained serious injuries by falling approximately three metres through a hole cut into a floor during the refurbishment of a property in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard how an employee was working as a dry liner for R&B Plastering Limited, who were contracted on the site to Robert Norman Construction Limited, the Principal Contractor (PC). The employee was working on the second floor of the property, near to a hole that had been cut into the floor to facilitate plasterboard being passed up from the level below. The employee fell approximately three metres through the hole, causing him to sustain fractures to his vertebrae and ribs, and severe bruising. He required hospitalisation for 19 days and had to wear a back brace for six months. He also suffers ongoing physical and psychological issues as a result of the incident. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the hole was not adequately protected via covering or access. R&B Plastering Limited had put a risk assessment in place for the work, but it was not adequate, and was not provided to the PC prior to work commencing. The PC’s own policy outlined the need to review any subcontractors’ risk assessments prior to them starting work; and by failing to follow this policy the PC missed any opportunity to review R&B Plastering’s risk assessment. Robert Norman Construction Limited of Framlingham, Suffolk were found guilty in their absence for breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and have been fined £140,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,426. R&B Plastering Limited of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and have been fined £26,700 and ordered to pay costs of £8,426. >> WORKER INJURED IN FALL FROM ROOF A worker who was replacing a conservatory roof in adverse weather conditions at a property in Nantwich, slipped and fell sustaining broken ribs and bruising. Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that the 34-year-old-man was getting down from the roof, when he slipped on ice and fell, landing on step ladders. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the director of the company at the time of the incident, Andrew Bradshaw, ignored concerns from workers regarding adverse weather. Inspectors also found that there wasn’t any edge protection in place to prevent a fall from height. DNA Home Improvement (Cheshire) Limited of Ideal House, Lower Walsall Street, Wolverhampton pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,771.92. The former director of the company, Andrew Bradshaw, of Chapel House, Middlewich Road, Minshull Vernon, Crewe pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 by virtue of section 37(1) of the same act. He was issued with a 12-month community order requiring him to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £4,807.62. CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AND PLASTERING FIRM FINED AFTER EMPLOYEE FALLS FROM HEIGHT

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