Manufacturing Sector
Film company facing £11,000 bill for cameraman fall
Health & Safety Update 01/03/2012
A film company has been fined after a cameraman was seriously
injured falling from a film set at the famed Shepperton Studios in
Middlesex.
The 62-year-old worker fell more than three metres through an
opening in the floor of the set of the film 47 Ronin in May 2010.
The cameraman, who escaped with bruising and suspected broken ribs,
was employed by production company, Warrior Productions Ltd, which
held responsibility for the health and safety conditions on the
set.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found
that the elevated parts of the set had been built without edge
protection, to fit in with its setting of 18th century Japan. The
company, which is based in Central London, pleaded guilty to
breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005,
and was fined £300 and ordered to pay costs of £10,500, and
compensation to the worker of £300.
HSE inspector, Stephen Green, said that the platform was in
complete darkness when the incident occurred.
“Numerous people had been or were still on the platform, and
therefore were all exposed to the risk,” he said. “The cameraman
was lucky to escape with bruising and suspected cracked ribs as
falls from a similar height can cause serious or even fatal
injuries.”
He added that the company was aware of the hazard as they had
installed temporary edge guards in some areas, but there had not
been a full assessment of the set.
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