A window fitting contractor and project principal contractor have been prosecuted after a worker fell installing glazed units…
GTF Frames Limited (GTF) and Parsons and Joyce Contractors Limited (P&J) have been prosecuted after 54-year-old Darren Shepherd was injured installing windows in November 2014.
GTF, the contractor, and P&J, the project principal contractor, were brought before Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court for the failings, which saw the worker receive two fractured ribs and a broken thumb after falling.
According to the investigation, Shepherd was carrying window frames through the stairwell of a block of flats under construction. At the time of the incident there were no stairs in place, just a ledge which was part of the structure. This would form a landing half way up the stairs once they were installed. Shepherd climbed onto the ledge and slipped. He fell some 1.7m onto the landing and a further 1.3m to the ground floor.
The subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found GTF failed to plan, supervise or carry out work at height safely. Furthermore, P&J failed to manage and monitor the construction phase. Workers were also not provided with a site induction.
After pleading guilty to an offence under Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, GFT was fined a total of £6,000, and ordered to pay £9,953 in costs.
P&J was fined a total of £20,000, and ordered to pay £9,953 in costs after pleading guilty to offences under Regulation 22(1)(a) and 22(2)(a) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.
