An employee falling five metres from height, and breaking his back, has led to a conviction for a building contractor and roofing contractor.
Grayton Building Contractors Ltd were completing a first floor extension on a bungalow when the incident occurred. Fascia board and soffits were fitted to allow employers working on the roof to start their work. While they were being fitted the employee stepped across a gap in the incomplete working platform to descend from the roof. The ladder slipped sideways as it was not secured, causing him to fall. The employee was unable to work for eight weeks as a result of the fall.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the fall and found that Grayton Building Contractors Ltd and the roofing contractor Thomas Dean failed to properly plan the work, to assess the risks and to provide appropriate supervision. As a result the work at height equipment selected was not appropriate for the job and work could not be carried out safely.
Grayton Building Contractors Ltd of Botanic Road, Churchtown, Southport was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,742 after pleading guilty to breaching the Work at Height Regulations SI 2005/735.
Thomas Dean of Youatt Avenue, Prescot, Merseyside was fined £400 and ordered to pay costs of £3,000 after also pleading guilty to failing to comply with the Work at Height Regulations SI 2005/735.
HSE inspector Andy McGrory said: "The risks from working at height are well known. Those in control of the work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working, which should include ensuring the use of suitable work equipment and adequate supervision."
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