Scaffolding firm fined after worker injured

A Hampshire-based scaffolding firm has been fined £5,000 after a worker was seriously injured by a falling scaffolding pole.

Peter Ernest Jones Ltd pleaded guilty to contravening Regulation 10 of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996.

It was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,543.20 at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court.

The prosecution came after a worker crossing a site in Southsea to make tea was hit by a five foot scaffold pole which fell from scaffolding being dismantled.

There was no segregation between scaffolding work and other site workers.

The employee sustained injuries including partial paralysis and it is unclear whether he will ever regain his health.

HSE inspector, Joanna Woodcock, said: "Falling materials pose a significant risk on every site. Even a small element of scaffolding can cause significant injury or death.

"Those in control of scaffold operations should keep others out from below because it only takes a simple human error to drop something".