A roofing company in Barnsley were fined after a worker fell approximately three metres through a roof light. The worker incurred spinal injuries and a fractured pelvis and the company have been sentenced for the safety breaches.
Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard that PNR Roofing and Building Services Limited (PNR) had been subcontracted to carry out roof works at Globe Mills in Slaithwaite. A self-employed roofer, who was working for the company, had been laying wooden ‘lats’ and roofing felt when he fell through a sky light. The light had been covered with felt therefore, the worker fell through onto the hard floor. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) discovered that PNR had originally provided air bags to prevent any incidents or falls however, the bags had been temporarily moved in order to remove debris.
PNR Roofing and Building Services Ltd of Park View, Shafton, Barnsley was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £1,100 in costs after pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Chris Tilley stated after the hearing: “Falls from height through fragile surfaces and skylights remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known”.
“This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply adopting reasonably practicable safe working practices such as using netting instead of relying on fall bags”
In order to prevent similar cases occurring in the future, risk assessments should be carried out and acted upon promptly at all working environments. Health and safety advice should be sought, if needed, to ensure that the necessary measures are put in place as well as ensuring that employees have received sufficient relevant training.
If you have any queries regarding health and safety training, risk assessments, health and safety in your workplace or relating to any other areas of HR then please do not hesitate to get in touch with one of the team on 01924 827869.
References:
https://press.hse.gov.uk/2019/03/28/roofing-company-fined-after-worker-falls-from-height/
