Skip Hire company prosecuted

Fines totalling €20,000 were handed down to Derry White Skip Hire Ltd and one of its Directors, Mr. Derry White, by Judge Carl Moran in the Limerick Circuit Court on 7th February 2012.

The case arose following an accident in 2009 when one of the company’s employees, Jason Dunleavy, had his left arm amputated by a conveyor.  The company had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges at a sitting of Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on January 11th 2010.

The Company, Derry White Skip Hire Ltd, was fined €15,000 for breaches of Section 8(1) (duty of the employer ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of his or her employees) of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

Mr. Derry White, Director of Derry White Skip Hire Ltd, was fined €5,000 for breaches of the same section of the 2005 Act.

Source: legal island.ie

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Scaffolding: Accident highlights dangers of high winds

During a recent inquest at Dublin City Coroner’s Court, it emerged that a report warning of incidents of falling scaffolding had been given to site management days before a man was killed at the site in Finglas.

The inquest heard that despite the contractors being given a copy of the report, no action was taken to prevent the accident.  Eddie Fowler (28), of Railway Road, Clongriffin, Donaghmede, had been working as a carpenter when he was fatally injured by a plank which was blown from a scaffold on the site.

The contractor, G&T Crampton, was fined €100,000 by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last July for failing to stop building work during poor weather conditions on the day of Mr Fowler’s death.

Source: Irish Times

Business Safety can provide scaffolding inspections along with full construction consultancy services.  To find out how we can help you manage health and safety aspects of scaffolding, call Business Safety on 0818 333 121, Email Us or use the form above.

Office safety: Worker loses case after accident

The Circuit Civil Court has dismissed a case involving a worker who fell off her office chair and was suing for €38,000 in damages.

Karen O’Toole (43), of Eastham Court, Bettystown, Co Meath, had claimed that on January 12, 2009 she had been attending a meeting at her workplace, Sonopress Ireland Ltd, when the accident happened.

Ms. O’Toole said that she had been sitting in a chair during the meeting when she attempted to pull herself forward on it.  She said it was then that the chair gave way from under her and that she fell, breaking her wrist in the process.  The court was told that the chair had a loose caster some days previous and that this had been adjusted prior to the incident.

Barrister Conor Kearney, for Sonopress Ireland Ltd, told the court that at no stage had the company been informed of a defect in the chair. Additionally, the chair had been examined by an expert who determined that there were no defects present.

Ms. O’Toole sued her employers for negligence, however Judge Linnane said there had not been any evidence produced showing a defect or fault in the chair.  The case was dismissed.

Source: Irish Independent

Although this case was unsuccessful, it should act as a reminder to employers that unless office furniture is fit for purpose and maintained in a safe condition, the employer is open to litigation in the event of an accident.  Employers need to have proper systems in place to ensure office equipment is checked and that good recording keeping is in place and can be produced when needed.

Business Safety provide complete office safety services. To find out how we can help you manage office health and safety risks in your office, call Business Safety on 0818 333 121, Email Us or use the form above.