Cambridge-based timber merchant RIdgeons Ltd has been fined £5,000 after a subcontractor broke his back falling from a crane while working at the company.
Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ Court heard that mechanical fitter David Minor had been employed by Graham Parish Engineering, subcontracted by Ridgeons, to fix an overhead crane system at its timber engineering workshop in Sudbury, Suffolk on September 16, 2008.
He was climbing a ladder to access the crane when he made contact with a live conductor, causing him to fall 18ft and land on a concrete floor. He sustained a fractured vertebra, a broken ankle, smashed heel and burns to his hands.
The conductor he touched was the main power channel to the overhead crane, carrying three phase 415v electricity but was not marked and had not been isolated.
RIdgeons admitted breaching health and safety regulations and was also ordered to pay £4,344.70 in costs.
“Ridgeons has admitted that the task was handed over to Mr Minor without discussion as to the way it was to be undertaken or any precautions that may be needed prior to it being started,” said Jonathan Elven, Health & Safety Executive inspector.
