A worker for a West Yorkshire power distribution services provider has suffered multiple fractures after falling from a cherry picker.
The company had been commissioned to replace overhead power lines and distribution poles in Hertfordshire.
The 33-year-old worker, together with other employees, was rigging three overhead lines that were approximately 500 metres apart. One line was already secured to a distribution pole and a second line was about to be secured.
The second line was secured to the bucket of a cherry picker that carried the worker, and this was being raised to attach it to the pole. At the same time, some 500 metres away, the line was also being back-tensioned by a dumper truck.
The bucket was approximately 12 metres in the air when the dumper truck pulled the cherry picker over, causing the bucket to fall to the ground with the man still inside.
He suffered a compound fracture to the left leg and three fractured vertebrae to his lower spine. His injuries required extensive surgery, including steel pins and skin grafts for his leg fracture and a back brace fitted for his fractured vertebrae. He was unable to work for several months, although he has now returned.
The company was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation found that more could and should have been done to prevent his fall.
In particular, the company had failed to plan and implement a clear and unambiguous communication system, which was clearly an important element to the task as the two teams working on the project were separated by great distances.
The company was fined £35,000 and ordered to pay £11,272 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Speaking after the sentencing hearing, HSE Inspector John Berezansky commented:
“Work at height of this nature is inherently high-risk, and it has to be properly planned, controlled and supervised.”
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