Construction firm fined over accident injury

A construction firm has been prosecuted after two members of the public suffered an accident injury.

Crawley Magistrates Court fined Brendan Flynn Construction Limited £8,000 and instructed the firm to pay £14,760 in costs.

The company, of Northwood, Harrow, admitted that it had contravened Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

On November 3rd 2009, cladding was blown off a building the firm was working on in Crawley as it was not effectively secured.

A pensioner was struck on the ankle by a piece of cladding, while another man was hit by a piece between his wrist and shoulder.

Issuing accident advice, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Russell Beckett said: "The incident had horrendous consequences, which could have been far worse. However, that will be little consolation to the injured parties."

In April, the HSE prosecuted another construction firm after it breached health and safety regulations. Coventry Construction Ltd was instructed to pay costs of £8,000 and fined £6,000.

Published by Hannah Carr