31.07.2006

Worker injured by falling mortar tubs

Surrey-based Gleeson Construction Services Ltd has been fined almost £50,000 after mortar tubs fell from a crane injuring a worker below.

The worker, self-employed Colin Beamish, 48, of St Neots, Cambridgeshire, was working for Gleeson at a building site in nearby Huntingdon when the incident happened on 31 March last year.

Gleeson was building a new health centre in Sallowbush Road and a crane was being use to lift empty mortar tubs back to the silo for re-filling when they fell onto Beamish. He suffered three fractures to his C7 vertebra.

The firm has been ordered to pay £47,860 in fines and court costs.

HSE inspector Roxanne Barker stressed the importance for construction companies to properly plan all lifting work.

She said: "I hope this case serves as a warning to all construction companies to ensure lifting operations are properly planned and carried out in a safe manner. Lifting operations involving cranes can present a significant risk to those working on construction sites and it is vital such operations are properly planned.

"Construction firms must always ensure loads are secure and not liable to fall. There are simple and inexpensive ways in which this can be achieved and this incident highlights the consequences of not taking such steps. Doing it the right way can prevent serious injuries to workers and will save money in the long run."

Gleeson Construction Services Ltd, of Haredon House, London Road, North Cheam, Sutton, Surrey, had earlier admitted breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and appeared at Peterborough Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, July 26. The company was fined £35,000
and ordered to pay £12,860 in costs.