Lack of workstation risk assessment, electrician injured at loft
An apprentice electrician was hurt falling during work on a loft space at Swindon youth centre. Richard O’Connor was employed by Robert and Prowse. The employer failed to carry out workstation risk assessments to prevent any safety and health issues. The failure to conduct risk assessments for work at height put workers at risk. It was the reason the apprentice electrician was harmed during the work. The HSE was brought in to conduct health and safety audits after the incident. The worker was 18 at the time of the incident in 2010. He was working to install electric at the Platform Youth Centre when he stumbled on a walkway. He fell off the walkway onto plasterboard that could not sustain his weight. He tried to grab a joist, but that also gave way allowing him to fall 5.5 metres to the next floor.
The injuries sustained include three fractures of vertebrae, cuts, and bruising. He was out of work for two months due to the injuries. He could have easily died from the fall, but due to grabbing whatever he could on the way down he was able to walk away with a few injuries but no permanent damage. Working at heights is always risky. This is why proper risk assessments need to be carried out. The company has received a fine of £5,000 along with a similar amount in additional costs. The additional costs cover the court case and any witnesses that had to be called.
