Serious worker injury results in prosecution of employer

An employer has been issued a fine after one of its workers sustained serious injuries, it has emerged.

In March 2005, electrician Barry Murrell was working at height in the former Pirelli Cables factory in Erith, an area situated in the London borough of Bexley.

During the course of his activities, he fell five metres, suffering a broken pelvis, fractured hip, shattered hip socket and a broken rib.

He had entered into the Pirelli tower, which was being prepared for demolition, when he stepped on some steel sheeting that gave way beneath him.

At a recent hearing held in the City of London magistrates' court, Wooldridge Ecotec was ordered to pay £15,000 plus costs of £4,971 after pleading guilty to breaching health and safety regulations.

Commenting on the case, Health and Safety Executive inspector Loraine Charles said: "Mr Murrell's injuries were very serious, but the consequences could have been far worse."

03/09/2008 16:02