Head Of Training, The Healthy Work Company

August 24, 2016

Get the SHP newsletter

Daily health and safety news, job alerts and resources

Firms and director sentenced after worker fell to his death

Two roofing companies and one of their directors have been sentenced after a worker fell to his death through a skylight.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how 46-year-old Lance Davies died after falling over seven metres through a roof light at industrial premises in the Crumlin area of South Wales.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident, which occurred on 15 December 2011, found that the work at height on the roof was not properly planned, managed or monitored. There were inadequate control measures in place to prevent a fall through the roof lights.

Sentencing

  • SPAN Roofing Contractors Limited, of Sunnyside Road North, Weston Super Mare, North Somerset, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, and was fined £65,000 and ordered to pay costs of £37,500.
  • B & T Roofing Solutions Limited, of Arthur Street, Ystrad, Pentre, pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined a total of £20,000.
  • Kristian Griffiths, of Arthur Street, Ystrad, Pentre, a director of B & T Roofing Solutions Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by virtue of Section 37 of the Health and Safety at work etc Act 1974, and was given a 160 hours community service order.
  • B & T Roofing Solutions and Kristian Griffiths were ordered to pay costs of £32,500 between them.

Following the hearing, HSE Principal Inspector Paul Harvey said: “Falls through fragile roof lights and roofs are one of the biggest causes of fatalities and serious injury in the construction industry.  The issue is well known in the construction industry and there is plenty of guidance available.

“The tragic death of Mr Davies could easily have been avoided had the work been planned, managed and monitored effectively and simple and cost effective control measures put in place.”

The Safety Conversation Podcast: Listen now!

The Safety Conversation with SHP (previously the Safety and Health Podcast) aims to bring you the latest news, insights and legislation updates in the form of interviews, discussions and panel debates from leading figures within the profession.

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts, subscribe and join the conversation today!

Related Topics

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

7 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Jeremy Clark JCDA
Jeremy Clark JCDA
7 years ago

My deepest condolences and thoughts go out to the family of the deceased.

Allen Wilson
Allen Wilson
7 years ago

How can the HSE possibly justify taking nearly five years to get this to court. They should be ashamed

Trev Davey
Trev Davey
7 years ago

Long time for justice, sentencing to me was too light for manslaughter.

Frank Sheppard
Frank Sheppard
7 years ago

No sign of closure for the families of that unfortunate construction worker. This government have openly stated it is their wish to deregulate both the Health & Safety and the human rights act which are intrinsically linked. Therefore we can expect more of the same so called penalties for the Bosses and corporate institutions. Human life on a construction site is worth less these days than those who lost their lives in the Trenches. The attitude is the same next man along slip into that empty space and substitute Gun for shovel or broom.

Graham Davis
Graham Davis
7 years ago

Awful , corporate manslaughter is the correct verdict. Working at height regulations are clear and well known, even tested on for CSCS, so these people will work again in the industry? disgraceful.

Ray Rapp
Ray Rapp
7 years ago

I like others am dismayed at the paltry sentences meted out. They virtually sent that worker to his death and is in my opinion tantamount to gross negligence manslaughter. Why was the company director not disqualified as a result of his misconduct? I also agree that five years to bring this case to court given it is a relatively straightforward case is unbelievable. There are just too many similar cases and until the punishment is a real deterrent they will continue unabated.

Pete Douglas
Pete Douglas
7 years ago

Again, people are lost to our society, not least their families, by a set of firms that deal with ‘Roofing issues’ on a daily basis; such as the paltry penalties… they should not be operating. This is a basic fundamental failure of these firms; no more than a Janet & John grade basics… sorry to Janet and John of this world but you get my drift… Are we to see the same of 50 years ago, repeating themselves..! It does raise more questions of HSE as noted by contributors to date. Looking at HSE’s reported accidents, Falls (fatal falls –… Read more »