Company Director Fined Following Tragic Fatal Roof Fall in Manchester

Manchester, UK – A company director has been ordered to pay a significant fine after a worker tragically died following a fall through a fragile roof in Manchester. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought the prosecution, underscoring the critical importance of robust safety measures when working at height, particularly on industrial roofs.

Mr. Mark Stansfield, director of Stansfield Construction Limited, was sentenced at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 13th May 2024. The court heard how 59-year-old Mr. Darren Cooper suffered fatal injuries when he fell through a fragile roof light while undertaking roof work at a property on Oldham Road, Manchester, on 1st December 2020.

Investigation Uncovers Critical Safety Lapses

The HSE’s investigation revealed a series of serious safety failings that directly contributed to the tragic incident. It was determined that Mr. Stansfield had failed to adequately plan the work, supervise his employees, and provide suitable equipment to ensure the safety of those working on the fragile roof. Specifically, there was a clear absence of safety netting, crawl boards, or other fall protection measures that are standard requirements for such tasks.

Falls from height remain one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities and major injuries in the UK. According to HSE statistics for 2022/23, 40 people died as a result of falls from height, representing 30% of all fatal workplace accidents. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences when established safety protocols are ignored.

HSE Inspector Laura Carr commented after the hearing, “This tragic incident could have been avoided if Mr. Stansfield had properly planned the work and ensured that appropriate safety measures, such as safety netting or staging, were in place. Working on fragile roofs is inherently dangerous, and duty holders have a legal and moral obligation to protect their workers.”

Legal Ramifications and Sentencing

Mr. Mark Stansfield, of Stansfield Construction Limited, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This section holds directors, managers, and other similar officers personally liable if an offence committed by their company is proved to have been committed with their consent or connivance, or to be attributable to any neglect on their part.

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He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,000. While the fine may seem modest in comparison to the tragic loss of life, the prosecution itself sends a strong message regarding individual accountability within companies for health and safety failures.

The HSE consistently emphasises that employers and those in control of work premises have a legal duty to assess risks and implement effective control measures to prevent falls from height. This includes providing appropriate equipment, ensuring workers are adequately trained, and supervising work to ensure compliance with safe systems of work.

Preventing Future Incidents: A Call for Vigilance

This case serves as a critical reminder for all businesses, particularly those involved in construction and maintenance work, to review their procedures for working at height. The HSE’s 'Work at Height Regulations 2005' clearly outline the requirements for managing risks associated with working at height, including the need for proper planning, risk assessment, selection of appropriate work equipment, and ensuring competence.

  • Plan the work properly: All work at height must be properly planned and supervised.
  • Assess the risks: Identify all potential hazards, especially fragile surfaces.
  • Use appropriate equipment: This could include safety nets, air bags, scaffold towers, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), or crawl boards.
  • Competent personnel: Ensure all workers are trained and competent to work at height.
  • Regular inspections: Equipment should be regularly inspected and maintained.

The HSE continues its efforts to reduce workplace fatalities and injuries through enforcement action, guidance, and awareness campaigns. Businesses are urged to proactively engage with health and safety best practices to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

For businesses seeking to enhance their understanding of health and safety regulations and implement robust safety management systems, Abertay Training offers comprehensive courses and consultancy services. Visit https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk for more information on how to ensure compliance and cultivate a safer working environment.