Ceiling below saves workman in rooflight fall
Roofworker fell through roof after stepping on fragile rooflight
A company specialising in roofing work has been prosecuted after a roof worker was seriously injured when he fell through a fragile rooflight in September 2016 on an industrial unit at the Butlerfield Industrial Estate, Newtongrange.
Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that the injured workman was placing new roof panels and other materials on a roof.
Whilst traversing the roof he slipped and fell through an existing rooflight landing on a suspended ceiling below.
Risk not sufficiently identified
HSE investigators found that the main cause of the incident was insufficient identification of risk in the work being undertaken.
- Phoenix Roofing and Cladding Limited – of Meeks Road, Falkirk pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at work etc Act 1974 and were fined £20,000.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Stuart Easson said:
“Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.
Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standard.”