HSE blames failure to keep other workers clear of scaffold dismantling for injury by falling pole

A Hampshire company has been fined after a scaffolding pole fell on an employee, causing serious injury.

Peter Ernest Jones Ltd was fined 拢5,000 and required to pay costs of over 拢1,000, after pleading guilty to flouting regulation 10 of the Construction Regulations 1996.

The prosecution followed an incident at a construction site, on a development of new and converted houses in Southsea, Portsmouth, in February 2007.

A worker had crossed the site to make tea when a 1.5m scaffolding pole fell on him from a scaffold being dismantled. There had been no segregation between scaffolding work and other site workers, and the employee suffered severe injuries including partial paralysis. Over a year later, it is still unclear if he will regain his health.

Health and Safety Executive inspector Joanna Woodcock said: 鈥淔alling materials pose a significant risk on every site. Even a small element of scaffolding can cause significant injury or death. Those in control of scaffold operations should keep others out from below because it only takes a simple human error to drop something.鈥�

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