Hse prosecutes construction company after worker fractures pelvis
"Anyone carrying out concrete pumping operations on construction sites should ensure they have safe systems of work in place for cleaning out the pipeline and in particular when dealing with blockages", is the message from Principal construction inspector, Emma Davies of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), following the prosecution of a construction firm at the Old Bailey today.
Byrne Bros. (Formwork) Limited of 13-15 White Hart Lane, Barnes, London SW13 0PX, were fined a total of £60,000 following the investigation into a serious incident on 30 June 2003 on a construction site at 10 Exchange Square, Broadgate, London EC2A.
Mr Alan Wyatt, a mobile concrete pump operator employed by Byrne Bros, sustained a fractured pelvis and puncture wound to his groin, during concrete pumping works on site. Following the completion of a concrete pour on the site using a static concrete pump and pipeline, compressed air was used to blow out the waste concrete from the pipeline into a skip on the ground floor. During the operation the discharge end of the pipeline recoiled striking Mr Wyatt. Waste concrete was sprayed around the site and the sponge ball used to clear the inside of the pipeline was ejected over the site hoarding, narrowly missing a member of public. Mr Wyatt, who was 41 at the time, survived, but has been unable to work since.
Speaking after the case, Emma Davies went on to say; "The risks associated with the use of compressed air to clean concrete pipelines were well known within the industry as are the measures needed to manage them. Had Byrne Bros carried out an appropriate risk assessment, ensured the operatives were properly trained and supervised, then the accident to Mr Wyatt would not have happened.
Byrne Bros (Formwork) Limited, were fined £40,000 for contravening section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and £20,000 for contravening section 3(1) of the same Act. The company was also ordered to pay legal costs of £12,026
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