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Pensioner struck by site hoarding

12 Apr 13 Hertfordshire-based contractor Durkan has been fined £5,000 after an advertising hoarding fell from one of its London sites and struck a pensioner.

The 85-year-old, who does not wish to be named, needed  stitches after being cut by the hoarding that fell on her as she walked past Wardroper House on St Georges Road, Southwark, on 15 July 2010.

An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) identified that the site hoarding was poorly maintained, badly designed and constructed, and had been overloaded with advertising material.

Westminster magistrates fined Durkan Ltd, of High Road, Waltham Cross, Herts, a total of £5,000 and ordered it to pay £6,000 in costs after it pleaded guilty to a breach of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.

HSE inspector Toby Webb said after the hearing: "Advertising hoardings of this nature are defined as temporary works and must be properly designed, constructed and maintained to ensure they are safe.

"This sign and hoarding was not maintained in a safe condition, and a pensioner was seriously injured as a result. She could have been killed, and there was a clear risk to other passers-by as well as workers on the construction site it served.”

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