Roofer fined for injuries after health and safety breach
A worker fell more than five metres while working on a flat roof edge. The roofing company is fined for the safety and health breaches that created such an incident’s potential. The worker was 26 at the time of the incident in 2010. He was working alongside other roofers to fix a flat roof in Strathdon. The roofing company did specialise in that particular type of roofing work. Despite being properly hired with the right qualifications, the company still put a worker’s life at risk. The employee was throwing lead cut-offs to the ground on the edge of the flat roof. It is suspected he slipped or accidentally stepped off the edge. This created a lack of balance. This is why he was able to fall five metres, landing on his side.
Due to the health and safety breach that led to his fall the worker sustained a hip injury requiring a metal plate and four pins to be put between his hip and thigh bone. He had to be off work for 16 weeks. Unfortunately, he still experiences pain. The HSE was brought in to conduct health and safety audits to examine the workplace and the company. The roofing company was fined £15,000 for breaching the regulations. They were found guilty of breaching Regulation 4 of the 2005 law regarding working at heights. The employer could have avoided the issue by ensuring workers were safe at heights with proper edging on the roof or secure lines to hold them on the roof.
