A Chesterfield builder suffered life-changing injuries due to an accident at work.
- Andrew Clifford became paralysed after falling from the first floor of a house undergoing renovation.
- He lay undiscovered for six hours until a delivery driver found him.
- The accident highlighted severe oversights in workplace safety measures.
- Paul Freeman Limited was fined for failing to ensure proper safety protocols.
In a profound incident within the construction industry, a builder from Chesterfield experienced a drastic life change following a workplace accident. Andrew Clifford, a 51-year-old father of three, was working alone on a house renovation in Dronfield when he slipped and fell, resulting in paralysis from the chest down.
The unfortunate accident occurred on the morning of 31st October 2022 while Mr. Clifford was installing first-floor joists. This long-time worker for Mansfield’s Paul Freeman Limited lay on the ground for nearly six hours before being discovered, unable to move and with no sensation from the chest down. Mr. Clifford recounted, “The first thing I recall after my fall was landing on my head. From that point, it was a very strange feeling as from when I landed, I felt no pain and I couldn’t understand why or that I couldn’t get up.”
Despite being in severe circumstances, Mr. Clifford demonstrated remarkable presence of mind. He used the radio to keep track of time and refrained from moving to prevent further injury. He noted, “My radio was on and I judged the time by the news. After an hour, I tried to move again and this carried on for around three hours. Eventually, I realised this was serious and I thought I’d better stay still as I didn’t want to cause further injuries.”
The lack of immediate rescue underscored the isolation of the work environment. With no one passing by and fading daylight, Mr. Clifford’s anxiety grew until he was finally located by a delivery driver around 3 PM. This delay in discovery points to the challenges faced when safety protocols are insufficient.
Investigations by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) revealed significant lapses in safety protocol by Paul Freeman Limited. The company failed to provide adequate instruction and safety measures for work at height, which contributed to the accident. As a result, they were prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, leading to a £40,000 fine and additional costs.
HSE inspector Sara Andrews highlighted the necessity of comprehensive risk assessments, especially when the work involves lone workers. “This case highlights the importance of undertaking a thorough assessment of the risks for all work at height activities,” she remarked. A clear call for stringent safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future is evident.
This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for enhanced safety measures in the construction industry.
