Possibly worthy of a Darwin Award!

Workers caught breaking floor they were standing on

A contractor has been fined after workers were caught breaking out a floor they were standing on with no safety measures in place.

An HSE picture of some of the risks on site

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that during a safety inspection on 23 May 2018 at Dudley House in Hounslow, a number of issues in relation to working at height were identified.

These included several unprotected edges, where a person could fall a significant distance and also a floor that was being removed by a handheld breaker whilst workers were standing on it.

No measures were in place to prevent them falling if the floor collapsed.

An HSE investigation found that the risk assessment identified measures that needed to be implemented.

These measures were not implemented and therefore created a significant risk of people falling, and causing serious or fatal injury.

STS Constructions Limited of North London Business Park pleaded guilty to breaching safety regulations and was fined £26,666 and ordered to pay costs of £1135.10 plus a victim surcharge of £120.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Matthew Whitaker said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.

“Work at height is dangerous and should be planned correctly and the required measures implemented”.