A construction company from Portslade has been fined and made to pay costs, after an employee was struck by the placing boom of a concrete pump, causing serious injuries.
Brighton Magistrates Court heard how, on March 5, 2019, concrete footings were being poured at a site at Ditchling Common, East Sussex .
Due to the soft ground, vehicles could not get close to the work, so a concrete pump with a 52-metre boom was used.
During the pour, the ground beneath one of the pump outriggers collapsed, causing the concrete pipe and boom to strike the employee, dislocating and fracturing his hip, fracturing his spine and tearing ligaments and muscles.
He was also later diagnosed with a brain injury.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), he is still undergoing regular physiotherapy, and suffering from post-traumatic stress, but does not know the long-term effects of the brain and nerve damage.
An HSE investigation found that the work had not been properly planned, managed or monitored.
Although some work had been done to stabilise the ground in the area where the pump was set up, no checks had been made as to the load that the ground could sustain, and no consideration had been given to the size or type of spreader plates that would be required to support the vehicle outriggers.
Axio (Special Works) Limited of Portslade, Brighton pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13 (1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and were fined £20,000, plus a victim surcharge of £170 and costs of £5,285.70.
Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Stephen Green said:
“The employees injuries are life changing and he could have easily been killed.
"This serious incident and devastation could have been avoided if basic safe guards had been put in place.”
Overnight Closures For A22 Forest Row Road Improvements
Brighton Defence Manufacturer's Controversial Planning Application Likely To Be Heard
Over £2.4m Approved For Worthing School Support Centre
Section Of M25 To Close Again Tonight - As Drivers Warned Not To Get Complacent
Plans For 800 New Horsham Homes Refused
Over 200 Co-Living Flats Approved For Brighton
Teenager In Custody On Crawley Attempted Murder Charge
Appeal Following Assault In Hastings
Road Closed As Armed Police Attend Incident In Worthing
Lewes District Council Placed In Planning Special Measures
Comments
Add a comment