Mistakes Mountain Broke Back Of Window Installer

A window company has been fined after an employee fractured his back and ribs following a mountain of mistakes that lead to a fall from a jerry-rigged platform that was erected in haste at a property in Frodsham, Cheshire.

The man was working for Renka Limited after the company had been hired to supply and install windows, doors and frames at the property on Village Road.

Renka workers arrived at the property on 31 August 2021 to begin the installation of a rooflight, however the tower scaffold they had been provided with was too large and could not be positioned in the area where it was needed. As a result, the workers made a platform using the boards from the tower scaffold and wedged them between the roof joists. They then gained access to the work area via the external scaffolding.

Following the installation of the rooflight frame, one of the workers stepped from the roof onto the platform, at which point a board broke, causing him to fall approximately five metres to the ground below. As a result, the worker, who was 35 at the time, suffered fractures to his back and ribs.

 

Health and Safety Executive

An investigation by the HSE found Renka Limited failed to adequately plan the work at height and failed to provide suitable work equipment to enable the work to be carried out safely. The investigation also found that the company’s employees had not been provided with any instruction as to how the work should be carried out or provided with adequate training for working at height.

 

Fine

Renka Limited, of Birmingham Road, Marlbrook, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £3,863.25 in costs at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 20 February 2023.

HSE inspector Sara Andrews said: “The incident could have been prevented by the adequate planning of the work and the provision of suitable equipment for work at height, together with relevant training and instructions. It is fortunate that the injuries suffered by the employee were not fatal.”

 

Picture: The site on Village Road, Frodsham, Cheshire where a window installation worker fell and fractured his back and ribs.

www.hse.gov.uk

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
22nd March 2023

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