A Co Tyrone company who admitted breaches in health and safety rules resulting from injuries suffered by a joiner working on one of Northern Ireland's top hotels has been fined £2,400 and ordered to pay court costs of almost £1,800.
Belfast Crown Court Judge Sandra Crawford told Raptic Ltd director James Hughes that despite the company admitted the breaches, she was taking into account the fact that it has been in business for 25 years and in that time has "never been the subject of a health and safety investigation nor breach proceedings."
The Dungannon construction company, which is based on Granville Road and employs eight people, admitted a breach in their duty in planning supervision, and also failing to ensure the safety of a non-employee - namely a joiner who was working an extension at the Galgorm Resort and Spa on the outskirts of Ballymena on September 5, 2014.
The joiner had been working for Harvey Formworks, a construction company based on Glen Road in Glenariffe.
Harvey Formworks had supplied several tradesmen for Raptic Limited, including the joiner, to work on the extension at the hotel.
At some stage the joiner was asked to move panels to facilitate the pouring of concrete on the roof. The system known as 'skydecking' involves the construction of a 'false floor', later covered in concrete, to create a roof.
However, on this occasion, for some unknown reason a hole appeared in the structure, and the joiner fell four meters, sustaining multiple injuries including nine broken ribs and a fractured hand.
After landing beside a colleague working on the floor below, the Co Antrim joiner was rushed to hospital where he remained for 17 days. The court heard he continues to have difficulties with his hand.
