Fall from height accident news
04/08/2011

Builder falls from staircase in work accident

A building firm has been fined £8,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries in a fall from height accident.

The 38-year-old had been working on a new house construction in Ravelston Dykes, Edinburgh, when he slipped off the edge of the staircase and fell three metres to the landing below.

The fall caused the man to suffer two broken ribs and severe bruising to his kidneys. His injuries were so serious he was away from work for three months and required ongoing physiotherapy.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that the temporary staircase which gave workers access to the upper level of the construction was meant to be protected by a guardrail. However, the safety rail had been removed by a joiner to carry out necessary plastering work and not replaced.

Following a successful HSE prosecution, the construction company admitted to a breach of the Work at Height Regulations and was fined £8,000.

An HSE inspector, speaking after the hearing, stated that if the proper risk assessment had been carried out then the fall from height accident could have easily been avoided.