A warning has been issued by the HSE to employers to ensure that sufficient danger signs are shown at the site of holes in walkways. The statement comes after an employee of Drax Power Station met with a serious accident due to such a breach.
The Selby Magistrates Court ordered Drax Power Ltd to pay a fine of £2,000 for not following Regulation 6(3) and Regulation 11(b) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Drax Power will also have to pay costs of £2,800.20. The judgement came after the company pleaded guilty.
The incident took place when the employee was on his way for routine inspection of plant and equipment. In the walkway where he was doing his inspection, a floor plate had been removed for cleaning purpose. Due to this a fixed scaffolding barricade had been placed to prevent anyone from entering that area but no hazard sign had been put up to warn against the open hole. The employee not realizing the danger went in through an entry gate into the barricaded area. It was then that he fell almost ten feet through the hole, into the basement. Since the accident, the victim has not been able to come to work and has suffered severe injuries.
Health and Safety Executive Inspector, Jacqueline Ferguson said that the accidents due to fall from heights are a big concern for the HSE. These account for maximum workplace deaths and a large number of workplace injuries.
Ferguson emphasised that any work involving heights should be considered as dangerous. Therefore, all workplaces requiring work at height should have proper safety measures in place to prevent accidents. She also said that the investigation showed that cleaning had been completed ten days prior to the accident and by putting the plate back on time, the accident could have been avoided.
Keep up to date with health and safety and ensure your company avoids incidents like this. Workplace Law offer health and safety training, such as dse courses, which can help you achieve this.
