Company fined after worker paralysed on first day

Jul 22 2009 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

A BROMBOROUGH property company was ordered to pay fines totalling more than £90,000 after a workman was paralysed on his first day in the job.

Harold Roach, 36, broke his spine after plunging 10 feet when a rotten joist gave way beneath his feet.

He only started working for the firm, Property People (NW) Ltd, on the day of the accident when extra labour was brought in to convert derelict stables in Gertrude Street, Birkenhead, which were being redeveloped.

Judge Nigel Gilmour, QC, sitting at Liverpool Crown Court told the company's managing director William Piercy he was ignorant of health and safety legislation because he was not informed of basic safety requirements and there was no method statement, no risk assessment and no planning supervisor at the site.

Judge Gilmour said he was pleased the company now only let properties.

The company, which is entirely owned by Mr Piercy, pleaded guilty to two health and safety offences on April 23, 2005.

It was ordered to pay £92,000 – reduced from £127,000 – within three years plus £11,400 costs.