PNR Roofing fine: Worker hit the floor after air bags ‘removed’

A worker fell about three metres through a roof light and suffered a fractured pelvis and spinal injuries.

In March 2016, the self-employed roofer, who was working for PNR Roofing and Building Services Limited (PNR), was on a roof laying wooden ‘lats’ and roofing felt, when he fell through a sky light that was covered with felt. PNR was subcontracted to carry out the roof work at Globe Mills in Slaithwaite.

The HSE’s investigation found that whilst PNR initially provided air bags as a means of mitigating any falls by employees, the air bags had been moved to remove debris and the worker hit the floor instead.

PNR Roofing and Building Services Ltd of Park View, Shafton, Barnsley pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £20,000 and £1,100 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Chris Tilley commented: “Falls from height through fragile surfaces and skylights 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.

“This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply adopting reasonably practicable safe working practices such as using netting instead of relying on fall bags”