Rochdale director fined after workers suffer "serious injuries" falling from a tower scaffold

A Rochdale director has been fined after two workers fell from a tower scaffold, sustaining serious injuries.

Two employees of Rooffabs Direct Ltd had been working with Paul McMahon, of Bury Road, Rochdale, the sole director of the company, to install signage at retail premises on Bury New Road, Prestwich in November 2018 when the incident happene,  Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard.

The employees used a tower scaffold to carry out the work. During the afternoon, when Mr McMahon was no longer on site, the tower scaffold moved away from the building and the two employees fell approximately two metres, suffering fractures to their legs and ankles.

Paul McMahon of Bury Road, Rochdale, pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work  Act and of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Regulations Act.

Mr McMahon was ordered to complete 100 hours community service, pay compensation orders of £500 each for the two injured persons and was ordered to pay costs of £1,000.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the tower scaffold had not been erected by someone with suitable training.

There were missing guard rails on the scaffold and no outriggers in place at the time of the incident.

The company also failed to report the incident as required by the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).

Rooffabs Direct Limited of St Mary’s Place, Bury, also pleaded guilty to breaching  the Health and Safety at Work and  the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Regulations act.

The company was fined £20,000.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector David Norton said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities and severe injuries in this country.

"The risks associated with work at height are well known.

“This incident could so easily have been avoided by having a suitably trained person put up the tower scaffold and ensuring that the required guardrails and outriggers were in place.”