Runcorn and Horwich firms fined after builder fractures skull in fall
HSETwo firms have been fined after a builder fractured his skull when he fell from the first floor of a building, the safety watchdog has said.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) the man fell after putting his foot through temporary flooring at a site in Runcorn, Cheshire, in March 2021.
Runcorn's Total Brickwork UK (TB) and Horwich's Challenger Building Services (CBS) admitted breaching regulations.
Chester magistrates fined CBS £30,000, while TB was ordered to pay £16,000.
The HSE said the man was working for the Runcorn firm on a site owned by the Horwich company where five terraced and four semi-detached homes were being built.
It said the man, who was now 46, was clearing up debris and mortar left behind by bricklayers and had climbed up to the first floor of one of the homes using a ladder at a stairwell opening.
'Lack of appropriate measures'
A representative said the the opening was covered with temporary boards that slid apart to allow access to the first floor and the man had lifted one as he intended to sweep the debris down the stairwell.
They said he stepped forward "as he was going to lean it against a wall", but fell through the opening "as there were no floorboards underneath the temporary boards".
He fractured his skull, sustained multiple broken ribs and needed a plate to be inserted into his collarbone, they added.
The HSE's investigation found the firms had "failed to plan, manage and monitor work at the site to ensure it could be carried out safely".
It said any worker was at risk on the first floor due to the "lack of appropriate measures for preventing falls from height".
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector David Brassington said the incident could "so easily have been avoided" if the risks had been "adequately assessed".
Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]