Solar firm to be prosecuted over fatal fall

A LANCASHIRE company which installs solar panels is to be prosecuted following the death of a worker who fell through a barn roof.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is bringing criminal proceedings against Eco Generation of Longton, Preston, following the incident at Tower View Farm in Hutton in November 2011.

Employee Gregorz Sobko had been fitting solar panels to the roof of a cow shed when one of the clear plastic panels, designed to let in light, gave way. The 34-year-old from Southport fell five metres to the concrete floor below and died in hospital 10 days later.

Eco Generation has been charged with two breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The charges relate to failing to ensure suitable measures were in place to prevent workers from being injured in falls.

The company is due to appear before Preston Magistrates’ Court on Friday 4 April 2014 for the first hearing in the case.