Lack of temporary support structure allowed roof to fall on demolition worker.
Construction industry news portal Construction Enquirer is reporting that CMR Demolitions Ltd and Thomas Vale have been prosecuted after they failed to put in place temporary support arrangements during the demolition of the timber-framed classrooms at the former Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College site at Fenton.
The injured man was knocked unconscious when he was struck by part of the roof when the building collapsed without warning. He suffered fractured ribs, a broken shoulder bone, a broken nose, several shattered teeth and swelling to his head.
Two other workers were caught under the collapsed building but managed to free themselves and were uninjured.
An HSE investigation into the incident on 11 November 2011 found the extensive soft-stripping of the walls by subcontractor CMR Demolitions Ltd had significantly reduced their load-bearing capacity. A combination of having no support in place to hold up the roof, and strong winds, resulted in the collapse.
CMR Demolitions Ltd did not obtain information on how the timber-framed classrooms had been originally constructed and did not seek the opinion of a structural engineer during the work.
Principal contractor Thomas Vale failed to ensure that CMR Demolitions Ltd had provided a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for the soft strip and demolition work of the classroom.
It also failed to manage and monitor this demolition activity of CMR Demolitions Ltd or ensure they had consulted a structural expert.
CMR Demolitions Ltd was fined a total of £9,900 and ordered to pay £6,117 in costs after pleading guilty to safety breaches.
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