The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a Lancashire building company after a worker was seriously injured when a wall collapsed on him.

In July 2008, Scott Hutchinson of Golborne, near Wigan in Lancashire, was employed to demolish offices at a site on Millers’ Lane in Platt Bridge. He suffered multiple injuries when a wall collapsed, including fractures to his left leg, collarbone and arm – and injuries to the vertebrae in his upper and lower back. Mr Hutchinson has not yet been able to return to work.

On Thursday (12/11/09) at Trafford Magistrates’ Court, Hughes Brothers Building & Joinery Ltd of Hope Carr Way in Leigh pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,517.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Tom Merry said that Mr Hutchinson had been injured because the company had failed to managed the demolition of the building properly – and the risk assessment the firm conducted did not identify the dangers that workers would face on the site.

A manager for Hughes Brothers had briefly told his employees what he required – but had failed to stay on the site to check his instructions were followed.

Mr Merry said that – ‘more shockingly’ – only one of the workers had previous experience of demolition work, and he did not stay onsite for the whole time, either. The other workers had ‘neither the experience nor qualifications’ needed to demolish buildings, Mr Merry added.

‘This incident demonstrates how important it is for companies to take health and safety seriously, rather than just hoping for the best,’ he said.

© 5r1 Claims Limited 2009