A Somerset firm has been fined after a man broke his back, arm and ribs after falling three metres whilst working on a barn conversion.

Mark Clarke was helping to renovate his employer's property Heathfield Barn at North Petherton, Bridgwater when the incident occurred on 11 October last year.

Taunton Magistrates Court heard he was working on a gable end wall when he fell from a trestle work platform. Although some measures had been put in place to prevent such a fall, these were described as inadequate.

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Mr Clarke, aged 55, from Bridgwater is no longer able to work in the construction industry as a result of the injuries he sustained.

UK Storage Company (SW) Limited, of Unit 3 East Quay, Wylds Road in Bridgwater, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £2,680 in costs.

After the hearing, inspector Steve Frain from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) commented: "Employers need to ensure there is adequate supervision and fall protection in place while renovation activity of this nature is undertaken. UK Storage Company (SW) Limited failed to do so, and had not taken suitable steps to prevent Mr Clarke from falling from the platform.

"Mr Clarke's injuries were so severe that he may be unable to work in the construction industry again."

(CD)