Roofing Firm Penalised After Serious Fall Incident

A Greater Manchester roofing company has been hit with a substantial fine of £80,000 following a serious incident where a worker fell through a fragile roof, sustaining significant injuries. The prosecution, brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), highlights the critical importance of robust safety measures when working at height, particularly on fragile surfaces.

The incident occurred on 28th October 2021, when employees of the roofing firm were undertaking re-roofing work at commercial premises in Bury. During the course of the work, one employee fell approximately 5.5 metres through a fragile roof light to the concrete floor below. The worker suffered multiple fractures, including a fractured skull, fractured ribs, and a fractured pelvis, leading to a prolonged period of recovery and an inability to return to work for several months.

Investigation Uncovers Safety Lapses

The subsequent investigation by the HSE revealed significant failings in the company’s planning and execution of the work. It was found that the company had not adequately planned the work to prevent falls through fragile roof lights. Specifically, there was a lack of suitable measures in place to prevent access to or guard against the fragile elements of the roof.

HSE Inspector Lisa Bailey commented on the case, stating, “Falls from height remain one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries in the workplace, and working on fragile roofs is a particularly high-risk activity. Companies have a legal duty to ensure that all work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out safely. This incident could have been easily avoided had the company implemented simple, well-known control measures such as safety nets, fall arrest systems, or boarding over fragile roof lights.”

The investigation further highlighted that while some safety measures were present on site, such as scaffolding around the perimeter, these did not adequately address the specific risks posed by the fragile roof lights within the working area. The lack of a comprehensive risk assessment specifically detailing the hazards of fragile roofs and corresponding control measures was a key contributing factor to the incident.

Company Pleads Guilty and Receives Fine

The roofing company, whose name has been withheld pending further legal proceedings, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. At Manchester Magistrates’ Court, the company was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,600. The court emphasised the serious nature of the injuries sustained by the worker and the company’s failure to implement basic safety precautions.

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This case serves as a stark reminder to all businesses, especially those involved in construction and roofing, of their duties under the Work at Height Regulations 2005. These regulations require employers to ensure that all work at height is properly planned, supervised, and carried out by competent persons. They also mandate that suitable and sufficient measures are taken to prevent falls and, where falls cannot be prevented, to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall.

Preventing Falls from Fragile Roofs: Key Considerations

The HSE provides extensive guidance on working safely on fragile roofs. Key recommendations include:

  • Avoidance: Wherever possible, avoid working on or passing across fragile roofs.
  • Collective Protection: If work on a fragile roof is unavoidable, use collective protective measures such as safety nets, air bags, or guard rails.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Where collective measures are not reasonably practicable, individual fall arrest systems or fall restraint systems should be used.
  • Access Equipment: Provide suitable access equipment such as crawling boards or roof ladders to spread the load and prevent falls through fragile materials.
  • Competence and Supervision: Ensure all workers are competent to carry out the work safely and are adequately supervised.
  • Risk Assessment: Conduct a thorough risk assessment that specifically addresses the hazards of fragile roofs and outlines control measures.

The incident underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and proactive safety management in all industries where working at height is a factor. Companies must ensure their safety management systems are robust, regularly reviewed, and effectively implemented to protect their workforce.

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