A concrete firm was fined £175,000 after a worker was hospitalised for seven months due to a serious head injury.

The man, who was 35 at the time, was struck on the head by a concrete pump’s hose while working at a home in Elmfield Avenue, Crouch End, for sub-contractor Singh Will Mix It on March 3, 2019.

The concrete pump operator, who was not qualified to operate the machine, was cleaning the pump’s hose after it had been used for a ground floor extension.

The pump became blocked and a sudden release of pressure made the hose whip and strike him in the head.

The accident resulted in the man spending seven months in hospital, suffering brain trauma.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), he continues to have difficulties with his speech, memory and movement years later.

An HSE investigation found Singh Will Mix It failed to ensure workers had the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and training to carry out the work and also failed to have appropriate health and safety systems in place to carry out the work safely.

The company, based in Larkshall Road, Walthamstow, was fined £175,000 and ordered to pay £75,722 in costs at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday (March 15).

HSE inspector Gordon Nixon said: “HSE will not hesitate in prosecuting where contractors and operatives do not have the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and training when carrying out dangerous tasks and putting people at risk.”