By Simian
This month, a South Wales company was fined PS881,000 after two accidents in which workers were injured when they fell through roofs that had been damaged by the fragile surface.
A roofer fell through the roof of a Newcastle upon Tyne factory while replacing a skylight. The roof worker fell about 7m, landed on concrete and fractured his left eye socket, pelvis and wrist. This IP spent 3 weeks in hospital.
After an investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive, it was determined that the employer of the victim had violated section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc. After a 2-week trial, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the victim’s employer had violated Section 2 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations, 2005.
A scaffolding worker in Swansea was traversing a roof when, while navigating it, he fell into a Skylight, landing on the ground 20 feet below. A 24-year-old scaffolding worker suffered from a fractured femur, and a blood vessel clot that required him to take long-term medications.
This same company pleaded guilty for violating Section 3(1) Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The firm was fined PS306,000, and also ordered to pay PS27.410.63 as costs. The scaffolding company’s business partner was prosecuted and plead guilty for violating Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations, 2005. Newcastle Crown Court, on December 5, sentenced him 120 hours of community service and ordered that he pay PS20.428,73 for costs.
The statistics show that fragile roofs account for almost all fatal construction falls. On average, 7 people die each year from falling through fragile roofs or roof lights. Those who survive will suffer serious injuries.
Dave Randles SIMIAN Operations director said the following:
The UK continues to experience incidents such as this, with falls from fragile roofs being one of the leading causes of death and injury. It is a simple fact that these accidents are easily preventable with good planning, supervision and experienced workers.
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