A construction firm has appeared in court on health and safety charges after a worker was seriously injured when he fell approximately two and a half metres.

Taunton Magistrates’ Court heard how the employee was working at height on a construction site in Taunton.

He was working on installing formwork panels but these panels suddenly gave way and he fell head first over the leading edge. He broke both wrists and four vertebras in the fall.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive into the incident found that there was a lack of planning for the work at height, and there was an unsafe method of work used to install the formwork.

The construction company pleaded guilty to an offence under Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and was fined a total of £13,000, with costs of £3,742.18.

“Work at height should be properly planned and the risks controlled,” commented Health and Safety Executive principal inspector Helena Tinton, speaking after the hearing. “Incidents like this one are unnecessary and entirely preventable.”

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