14.03.2005

Fall costs company over £10,000

Circleworth Ltd, a London-based construction company, was fined £7,500 plus £2,877 of costs at the City of London Magistrates Court on Friday 11 March 2005. The prosecution, brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), followed its investigation into the death of Mr Edward Smith after an accident on 18 November 2002 during the refurbishment of a domestic residence in Ainsdale Road, London, W5.

Smith, a 63-year old self employed carpenter, working on the refurbishment of a semi- detached house when he fell approximately 2.4 metres from the exterior access scaffold. No appropriate ladder had been provided to access the scaffold.

The ladder that was used on the day of the accident was too short for the purpose. It is believed that Smith fell whilst trying to climb onto the scaffold. He suffered severe head injuries and the died next day.

Speaking after the case, HSE investigating inspector Kevin Shorten, said:

"'The tragic death of Edward Smith and the grief suffered by his family and friends at the firm, could have been avoided if the company had ensured that the ladder used to access the scaffold was long enough to extend 1m past the landing point and was secured in place. Any contractor or site foreman who reads about this case should make sure they check the ladders in use on their sites."

Circleworth Ltd, of Goodson Road, London, NW10, pleaded guilty to a charge of breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at the City of London Magistrates' Court on 11 March 2005. The company was fined £7,500 and ordered to pay £2,877 costs