Three Serious Health And Safety Incidents In A Week And One Death In Project

Following the news that Mayor Boris Johnson was involved in a serious near miss incident at Europe’s biggest shopping complex at Westfield, Stratford in London yesterday (13th September) when a large glass roof tile - roughly 5ft by 2.5ft - dropped 30ft to the ground, shattering on impact near those involved in the opening ceremony; the Construction Safety Campaign wishes to remind the press this is the third serious incident in a week.

On Friday 9th September a worker working from a ladder received a massive electric shock and fell. He has very serious burns and injuries from his fall.

On Monday 5th September a 21 year old electrician from Birmingham was working at height on steps in the Footlocker shop fit job when he fell and received a broken back. It is reported all access equipment such as cherry pickers were removed from the site the day before his fall. He is reported as having worked several 15 hour shifts as are many involved in the rush to try and complete the works for today's opening.

In the run-in to Christmas on 9th December 2009 Shaun Scurry from Kirkby, Merseyside, lost his life while employed by Firesafe Installations while working on the Westfield site.

Tony O'Brien, National Secretary CSC said: "We see little to celebrate with the opening of Westfield today. The price workers pay in building these projects is often their health, disability or even death. We have always said this is unacceptable and it is shameful these people are not being remembered today."

Boris Johnson’s response was to lightly brush off the incident saying he was sure ‘ .. will be investigated and cleared up as soon as possible."

Quite clearly, the issue of safety and making sure such a thing doesn't’t happen has gone, like the glass roof tile, right over his head! No doubt he still supports the ConDem(ned) government's view that health and safety at work regulations are mere red tape and a burden on business.
 
For further information contact:

Tony O'Brien, Construction Safety Campaign 077477 95954 077477 95954

Mick Dooley 07960 032 101

Source: CSC News release / Daily Mirror / Hilda Palmer

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