Fall arrest equipment could have saved mans life

A Gateshead construction company has pledged to put a new system in place for managing personal protection equipment such as fall arrest equipment, after it was fined £100,000 by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Rubb Buildings was charged over an incident in 2006, in which employee Steven Watson fell 30 feet after cutting through a section of the PVC tarpaulin roof of an aircraft hangar.

As there were no protective measures like fall arrest equipment in place, Mr Watson suffered severe injuries and died at the scene.

'Falls from height can be extremely serious risks and adequate safety measures must be in place to protect all workers in order to prevent tragic incidents such as this,' commented HSE inspector Steve Frain.

It follows news that Ashtead Plant Hire in Warrington has been fined £200,000 by the HSE over health and safety failings that led to the tragic death of an employee who fell five metres.



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