A man suffered a collapsed lung and fractured pelvis after he fell from the chimney stack of a two storey house in Falkirk.
Dylan Skelhorn, 32, from Tillicoultry, had been sweeping the chimney on 20 June 2011, when he fell, sliding down the roof of the property and falling five metres to the neighbouring garden.
D Henderson Chimney Specialists and Roofers was prosecuted on 5 November, after an investigation by the HSE revealed that the company had not carried out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, provided adequate training, or implemented a safe system of work for employees engaged in the task of chimney sweeping.
Mr Skelhorn also fractured two ribs, and was required to spend five days in hospital. He is currently undertaking ongoing physiotherapy, and has been unable to return to work.
Kerry Elliot, the HSE inspector overseeing the case said:
“This incident was entirely preventable. [Our] investigation clearly showed that this chimney could have been cleaned from within the property — something this company did not even consider at the time.”
D Henderson Chimney Specialists and Roofers Ltd, of Marshall House, Glenfoot, Clackmannanshire was fined £20,000 after pleading guilty to breaching sections 2(1) and 33(1) of the HASWA 1974. No costs are awarded in Scotland.
