Fragile Roof Fall Leads to Substantial Fine for Builder

A construction company has faced significant penalties following a serious workplace incident where an employee fell through a fragile roof. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought the prosecution after investigations revealed a failure to adequately plan and supervise work at height, leading to a worker suffering severe injuries.

The incident occurred on 28th April 2022 at a construction site in Greater Manchester. A worker was undertaking roof repair activities when they stepped onto a fragile rooflight, subsequently falling approximately four metres to the concrete floor below. The individual sustained multiple fractures, including to their spine, ribs, and pelvis, requiring extensive hospital treatment and a prolonged period of recovery.

The HSE investigation highlighted critical failings in the company's approach to work at height. Despite the inherent dangers associated with fragile roofs, the company had not implemented sufficient control measures to prevent falls. This included a lack of appropriate netting, safety harnesses, or fall restraint systems, and inadequate supervision of the work being carried out.

HSE Investigation Uncovers Systemic Safety Lapses

During the court proceedings at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, the HSE presented evidence detailing the company's breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Specifically, the investigation found that:

  • There was no suitable and sufficient risk assessment for working on or near fragile roofs.
  • The company failed to provide adequate information, instruction, and training to its employees regarding the risks of working at height and the precautions to be taken.
  • There was a clear absence of appropriate equipment to prevent falls or mitigate their consequences, such as safety nets, guard rails, or personal fall protection systems.
  • Supervision of the work was found to be inadequate, allowing unsafe practices to continue unchecked.

HSE Inspector Matt Green commented on the case, stating, "Falls from height remain one of the biggest causes of fatalities and serious injuries in the construction industry. This incident could have been easily avoided had the company implemented simple, well-known control measures. Employers have a legal and moral duty to protect their workers, and where these duties are neglected, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action."

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 stipulate that employers must ensure that all work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out by competent people. This includes taking into account weather conditions, using the right equipment for the job, and taking precautions when working on or near fragile surfaces.

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Company Pleads Guilty and Faces Substantial Fine

The construction company, whose name has been withheld pending further legal proceedings but is identified as a limited company, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This section places a general duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare at work of all their employees.

In sentencing, the court recognised the serious nature of the breach and the significant harm caused to the injured worker. The company was fined £120,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,842. The judge emphasised that the fine reflected the company's culpability and the potential for severe consequences arising from their failure to adhere to basic safety principles.

This prosecution serves as a stark reminder to all businesses, particularly those in the construction sector, of their responsibilities under health and safety legislation. The HSE continues to prioritise inspections and enforcement action in industries where work at height presents a significant risk, aiming to drive down the number of preventable accidents and fatalities.

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