Date of article: 28/06/2007
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A Cumbrian construction company has been prosecuted following an incident in which an employee fell through an unprotecetd stairwell.
Apprentice Brett Lawden, 19, received spiral injuries after faling through the stairwell at a building site in Langwathby, near Penrith, on 6 July 2006. He has since made a full recovery.
K and M Joinery Ltd was fined £2,600 and ordered to pay £1,395 costs by magistrates at Penrith
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 6 (3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, which states:
"Where work is carried out at height, every employer shall take suitable and sufficient measures to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any person falling a distance liable to cause personal injury."
HSE inspector David Charnock believes that, despite the seriousness of Lawden's injuries, the consequences of the accident could have been far worse:
"Falls from height remain the moct common kind of accident causing fatal injuries. The latest figures show that 46 people died from a fall from height at work in 2005-2006, with 3,351 seriously injured. Companies involved in building, refurbishment or maintenance should ensure that the work is planned properly and sensible measures taken so that workers are not exposed to risk. This case graphically illustrates that risks should be properly assessed and the results acted upon to ensure that decisions can be taken on what is the most appropriate equipment and working practices to be used to ensure safety."
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