A WGC construction firm has been ordered to pay more than �16,000 after a worker fell from scaffolding, injuring his back and fracturing his pelvis and chest. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted John Doyle Construction Ltd, of Little Burrow

A WGC construction firm has been ordered to pay more than �16,000 after a worker fell from scaffolding, injuring his back and fracturing his pelvis and chest.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted John Doyle Construction Ltd, of Little Burrow, following the accident at the Hilton Hotel in Liverpool in July 2007.

At Liverpool Magistrates' Court the company pleaded guilty to breaching work at height regulations.

The court heard employees were moving a scaffolding tower when it overturned and fell down an embankment.

Employee Gerard Baccino, a 49-year-old father-of-three, was removing lifting chains from the top of the scaffolding, and fell approximately six metres to the ground when it toppled over.

Mark Cuff, HSE's Investigating Inspector, said: "This incident was entirely avoidable and was caused by John Doyle Construction asking Mr Baccino to work at the top of a structure that was inherently unstable.

"John Doyle Construction should have considered the implications of not following the procedures for lifting the scaffolding.

"Its failure to do so resulted in one of its employees being seriously injured, and it was only by chance that there wasn't a fatality."

Magistrates imposed a fine of �3,500 and ordered costs of �13,244.

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