Hotel faces trial after worker fell from scaffolding

The operators of a Dublin hotel are to go trial after a worker suffered injuries when he fell from a scaffolding tower.

Olema Consultants, of Harcourt Stret, Dublin 2 faces six charges under the Safety and Health and Welfare at Work Act following an incident at the Harcourt Hotel on May 6th, 2014.

The hotel company is accused of failing ensure the safety of a named man in that a scaffolding tower on site was not safe for use and that this resulted in the worker suffering personal injuries when he fell from a height.

Other charges allege that boards on the scaffolding were defective and failed to prevent the fall, that the scaffolding was inadequately planned and maintained, that there was inadequate training and supervision and that they did not have a required constructions skills registration card.

The prosecution was listed at Dublin District Court where Judge John O’Neill was told the DPP has directed summary disposal. This means the case should be dealt with at district court level and not go to the circuit court which, on conviction, has wider sentencing powers.

Prosecution counsel Antonia Boyle told Judge O’Neill that an outline of facts would have to be heard for jurisdiction to be decided. However, she asked for an adjournment so an updated medical report could be obtained, adding that “there were personal injuries sustained”.

The company has not yet entered a plea and defence counsel Shay Fleming was furnished with disclosure of prosecution evidence.

Judge O’Neill agreed to a request to adjourn the case until September.