Company fined after worker falls five metres from flat roof

A signage company based in Sheffield, has been fined after a worker fell five metres from a flat roof.

Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court heard how Warburton Signs Limited were contracted to erect a large sign to the gable end of an industrial building. Three fitters accessed a neighbouring flat roof to fit the sign when one worker fell from the roof. He sustained life threatening injuries, including a fractured skull, several broken ribs, a collapsed lung and chipped vertebra.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred at Warburton Signs Limited failed to put in place any measures to prevent a fall from height.

Warburton Signs Limited, of Trident House, High Street, Beighton, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1538.

An HSE inspector said after the hearing:

“Failure to prevent falls when working at height can lead to serious injury or death.”