£60,000 fine for construction firms after glass panel breaks worker’s pelvis

Two companies have been fined nearly £60,000 after a 600kg glass panel fell on a construction worker in Kensington, London.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has again warned businesses to ensure they have safe systems of work in place during lifting and removal activities following the prosecution of Brookfield Construction UK and its subcontractor Scheldebouw UK, after lorry driver John Rooney suffered a broken pelvis when a panel of glass fell on him.

Scheldebouw UK was fined £20,000 with costs of £10,000, after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work Act.

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Brookfield Construction UK was also fined £18,000 with costs of £9,962 after pleading guilty to the same breach.

HSE inspector Lisa Chappell said: “This incident once again highlights the need for contractors to ensure that all aspects of lifting and removal operations are fully planned and measures to work safely are clearly communicated to all workers. Had these simple steps been taken, the injuries to Mr Rooney could have been avoided.”