PELLIKAAN Construction was fined £45,000 yesterday for breaching health and safety rules during the building of the £5.5million Royston Leisure Centre. The company admitted breaking regulations which led to a worker being seriously injured while working o

PELLIKAAN Construction was fined £45,000 yesterday for breaching health and safety rules during the building of the £5.5million Royston Leisure Centre. The company admitted breaking regulations which led to a worker being seriously injured while working on the site last November. Colin Straker, chairman of the bench, told the company when it appeared at Stevenage Magistrates' Court that the incident was "a serious breach of its duties and responsibilities". Magistrates heard that steel framework collapsed under the weight of concrete on to worker Calum Redman. Robin Cooper, representing the Health and Safety Executive, said: "It's amazing Mr Redman survived." He continued that the injuries - which included a dislocated ankle, fractured ribs, and scratches to his eyes from cement and cement in his ears - were "likely to affect his employment for the rest of his life". Mr Cooper said metal decking being used on the construction was not strong enough to hold the concrete. "Mr Redman saw a prop which looked a bit doubtful. He went to get another prop and as he was underneath, the decking collapsed, bringing down the concrete," said Mr Cooper. Mr Redman had to be dug out by others working on the site. This was the second collapse on the site that day, and no review of safety followed the initial collapse, the court heard. James Martin-Jenkinson, for Pellikaan, said structural engineers had been on the site the day before the accident occurred. He said Pellikann was not told that it was unsafe to continue work. Mr Martin-Jenkinson added: "The fact is that the accident was not a deliberate breach. "This is not a company about which it could be fairly said has a cavalier attitude." Pellikaan was fined £20,000 for breaching the safety of Mr Redman; £15,000 for breaching the safety of others; £5,000 for allowing an unstable structure to collapse, and £5,000 for failing to ensure safety on the site. The company was also ordered to pay £7,034 costs.