Construction firm fined after worker fell through roof

A construction firm has been prosecuted after a worker was seriously injured when he fell through the fragile roof of a farm building that was due to be demolished.

Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard how, on February 4, 2016, an inexperienced labourer working for Fine Dimensions Ltd was asked to assist in minor roof work. He stood on a fragile skylight panel and fell to the concrete floor below, sustaining head and chest injuries.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation established that the roof work was not properly planned and, as a result, insufficient precautions were taken including the provision of both edge and fall protection.

The investigation also found that the company failed to provide sufficient instruction and training for the inexperienced worker.

Fine Dimensions, of Higher Whitley, Warrington, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 4 and 9 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,256.45.

HSE inspector Grayam Barnes said after the hearing: “Work at height, and in the vicinity of fragile surfaces remains a major problem in the construction sector and must be properly controlled to avoid unnecessary injuries to workers.”

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