Galliford Try fined after joiner injured in accident
Construction
30th October 2008
The dangers of not having employers' liability insurance in the construction industry have been emphasised after a joiner was badly injured by an exploding pipe stopper.
Significant hospital treatment was required after the employee suffered leg injuries and damage to his hearing as a result of the accident.
Galliford Try Construction, the principal contractor on the project, was fined £15,000 after pleading guilty to breaching section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The firm was also made to pay costs of £8,788.
Selwood Ltd, the company that provided the pipe stopper and inflation equipment, was also fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £8,898 in costs.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Debbie John commented: "There were a catalogue of errors that led to the incident – incompatible equipment was used, the pipe stopper wasn't used correctly and Galliford Try did not exercise proper control over the work to be done."
