Two men have been fined and received suspended sentences after a worker fell over five metres through fragile roof panels suffering fatal injuries.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how on 16 November 2015, the worker was carrying out over-cladding work, involving the installation of new roofing material over an existing fragile asbestos cement roof, at an industrial building.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the method of work was unsafe and there were inadequate precautions to prevent or mitigate against falls from or through the roof as well as an effective assessment of risk, selection and use of appropriate work equipment, safe system of work and effective supervision.
One man pleaded guilty to breaching the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations SI 1999/3242, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations SI 2015/51, and was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.
The other man pleaded guilty to breaching the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations SI 1999/3242 and the Work at Height Regulations SI 2005/735, and was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with £1,800 costs.
HSE inspector Andrea Robbins, said: "In this case there was a significant failure to plan and manage the over-cladding of roofs over fragile roofing material".
"Roof work should only be undertaken by people who have the necessary skills knowledge and experience, assessing the associated risks, selecting and using appropriate equipment to prevent/mitigate falls and ensure effective supervision is in place".
