Roofing Firm Fined £80k After Worker Falls Through Fragile Roof

Roofing Firm Fined £80k After Worker Falls Through Fragile Roof

A Greater Manchester roofing company has been heavily fined after one of its employees suffered significant injuries following a fall through a fragile roof. The incident, which occurred in October 2021, led to a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), highlighting the critical importance of robust safety measures when working at height.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that on 21 October 2021, a worker was undertaking roofing repairs at premises in Bredbury, Stockport. During the course of these repairs, the employee fell approximately six metres through a fragile roof light to the concrete floor below. The fall resulted in multiple serious injuries, including several fractures to his spine, pelvis, and ribs, as well as a punctured lung. The worker has since been unable to return to work due to the severity of his injuries and ongoing recovery.

Investigation Reveals Inadequate Safety Planning

The HSE investigation into the incident uncovered a series of systemic failures in safety planning and execution by the roofing firm, G&S Roofing Limited. It was revealed that the company had failed to adequately plan the work, supervise the activities, and implement appropriate safety measures to prevent falls from height.

Specifically, the investigation found that:

• No suitable fall protection measures were in place to mitigate the risk of falling through fragile roof lights.
• The company had not provided adequate training or instruction to its workers regarding the hazards associated with fragile roofs.
• Supervision of the work at height was insufficient, leading to unsafe practices.
• A comprehensive risk assessment for working on fragile roofs was either absent or inadequate.

Working on fragile roofs and near fragile roof lights is a well-recognised high-risk activity in the construction industry. HSE guidance, including HSG33 ‘Health and safety in roof work’, explicitly outlines the precautions required to prevent falls, such as using safety nets, edge protection, or crawling boards.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

G&S Roofing Limited, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, 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.

On 11 April 2024, Manchester Magistrates’ Court handed down a significant penalty to the company. G&S Roofing Limited was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,807. A victim surcharge was also imposed.

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Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Lisa Bailey commented: “Falls from height remain one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries in the workplace. This incident could have been easily avoided had the company implemented simple and effective control measures, such as installing safety nets or using crawling boards, and ensuring the work was properly planned and supervised.”

She added: “Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

The Broader Impact of Workplace Falls

Falls from height continue to be a leading cause of workplace fatalities and serious injuries across the UK. According to HSE statistics for 2022/23, 40 people died as a result of a fall from height, representing 25% of all workplace fatalities. Furthermore, thousands more suffer non-fatal injuries, many of which are life-changing.

This case serves as a stark reminder to all employers, particularly those in the construction and roofing sectors, of their legal and moral obligations to protect their workers. The financial penalties and reputational damage associated with such incidents can be substantial, but the human cost, as evidenced by the injured worker's ongoing suffering, is immeasurable.

Employers must proactively identify risks, conduct thorough risk assessments, implement appropriate control measures, provide adequate training, and ensure effective supervision for all work at height. Prioritising safety not only ensures compliance with regulations but, more importantly, safeguards the well-being of employees.

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