A scaffolder has been sentenced after unsafe working practices were observed during the erection of scaffolding on a site in Kent during August 2016.
Medway Magistrates heard how the scaffolder was observed by an HSE inspector employing unsafe working practices whilst erecting scaffolding. He was putting himself at serious risk of falling from the scaffold under construction.
He refused to work safely and subject the Inspector to a “torrent of abuse” leaving the scaffold in an unsafe and incomplete condition with no warning for subsequent users.
The scaffolder pleaded guilty to breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005. He was sentenced to 24 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and subject to a curfew between 9am and 5pm at his home address for which he will be tagged and pay £2k costs.
Obstructed the inspector in the exercise duty
After the hearing HSE inspector, Andrew Cousins said:
“An already worrying situation was compounded by the defendant’s unwarranted abuse of a public official and then leaving the scaffold in a perilous condition.
He effectively obstructed the inspector in the exercise of her duty by his attitude, language and behaviour as well as his refusal to provide his identity or who he was working for.”
