Companies penalised following worker fall

Two companies based in Sheffield have been fined following an incident in which a worker fell over three metres and broke his arm, resulting in an accident claim.

It occurred when Nikitas Coulson, 40, from Middlesbrough, was working on the redevelopment of Sheffield College last year under Lilquest Asbestos Management, the principal contractor for the project.

While stripping asbestos from the former teaching block at the college before its planned demolition and re-build, he fell through a fragile rooflight which should have been boarded over and broke his arm on the ground, requiring the insertion of a metal plate.

Following the injury claim, Lilquest Asbestos Management, Mr Coulson's employer, and the principal contractor for the project, was fined £3,000 with £2,000 costs.

In addition, JF Finnegan, of Ecclesall Road, which was responsible for access to the roof, was ordered to pay £15,000 with £5,179.90 in costs.

Commenting on the case, Health and Safety Executive inspector Dave Bradley said: "This was an obvious and known risk, and one that should have been dealt with before any work went ahead."

It comes after Nigel Ashley, a partner at the precision engineering firm, Ashley's of Yeovil, was issued with a £10,000 fine following an accident claim stemming from a March 2010 incident in which a worker lost four fingers.

Posted by Tessa Jones