Builder fined after client suffers broken spine in fall from stairs

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said Michael Hall was “lucky to be alive” after he fell down the stairs at his home in Dobcroft Road, Ecclesall, Sheffield, which was being worked on by Sheffield-based builder Robin Atherton.

Sheffield Magistrates Court was told that the new staircase which was installed at the house in Dobcroft Road had been left without a handrail during the project, leading to Mr Hall’s catastrophic 10ft fall.

The court was told that the victim suffered a broken spine, massive head injuries and several broken ribs in the incident on June, 23 2010.

He was in intensive care and later spent several months in hospital undergoing numerous operations.

Mr Hall, who ran his own car business, has had to learn to walk again and talk properly again after a tracheotomy affected his speech.

He still suffers balance problems but has made around a 90 per cent recovery.

The court hear that Atherton, who was trading as Mack Construction, reported the incident to the HSE, which is a legal obligation, and inspectors subsequently investigated and brought the prosecution.

Atherton, of Jordanthorpe View, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for safety failings.

He was fined £5,000 with costs of £4,000.

Inspector Medani Close, who carried out the investigation, said the case had been “a whisker away” from being a fatality.

The inspector added: “Mr Hall was lucky to survive the devastating injuries he sustained in this fall.

“But his life was shattered and it also had a huge impact on his wife, Sally, and his business.”

Ms Close said the most common kinds of accident involve slipping or tripping and falls.

HSE figures for 2010/11 show there were 38 deaths, 4,327 major injuries and a further 5,867 over-three-day injuries because of a fall from height.

She added: “This tragic fall could so easily have been avoided. The simplest of measures - a temporary handrail fitted to the open side of the new staircase in his home - could have prevented his fall and saved a huge amount of suffering.

“It is a vivid and sad reminder that unnecessary risks are taken far too often in construction, one of the most dangerous sectors of industry.”