Accident injury leads to £120,000 fine for electrical company

An accident injury has lead to the prosecution of an electrical firm, which has been fined £120,000.

Skanska Rashleigh Weatherfoil admitted breaching Section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was also made to pay full costs of £81,927.

Lewes Crown Court heard that it had been subcontracted to design and build the mechanical and electrical systems in new buildings at Manor Royal Industrial Park, Crawley, in 2007.

A worker, who does not wish to be named, was working on a scissor life when overhead trays collapsed and knocked him off the platform to the floor eight metres below, leaving him paralysed from the waist down.

Denis Bodger, Health and Safety Executive inspector, said: "This tragic incident would have been avoided if the company had ensured all parts of the cable tray system had been properly designed and installed, including how it was attached to the building."

Recently, Triton Building Restoration and Fire Escape were prosecuted after an accident injury at Abingdon Villas in 2008.

Published by Rob Stanworth