Construction boss fined after worker suffers memory loss

A construction boss who failed to report a fall that left a man with short-term memory loss put a further two employees at risk of a similar accident.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into Simon John Ludgate, of Warsop, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, resulted in the Real Estate (Midlands) manager being fined £1,500 for health and safety breaches.

The Nottingham Crown Court heard the investigation was triggered after Ronald Leslie Cordon, of Quarndon, Derby, fell 2m from an unprotected wall on 6 November 2006.

Mr Cordon, a bricklayer working on a Mansfield home, fell onto a floor and hit his head on steelwork.

He suffered cuts to his head, severe bruising and swelling, a thumb fracture and nerve damage to his right temple, which has caused short-term memory loss.

Ludgate failed to report the accident to the HSE.

At a second construction site at Trowell Road in Wollaton, Nottingham, the HSE found two employees at risk of falling from the front edge of a loading bay.

There was also a risk to members of the public from falling tiles due to the lack of edge protection.

Ludgate pleaded guilty to various health and safety breaches. He was not charged court costs because of his financial situation.

HSE inspector Angus Robbins said: “Throughout the work at the two construction sites there was a complete failure to plan the work, maintain the necessary protection at height or acknowledge the consequence of falls.”