June 9, 2017

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£80k fine for roofing company after ignoring HSE height advice

G&S Roofing Ltd has been fined for safety failings related to working at height in August 2016.

Numerous concerns were raised by members of the public about work being carried out by the company, which twice ignored written advice to address the issue of working at height in an unsafe manner.

Brighton Magistrates were told that concern was raised by a member of the public who contacted HSE after seeing operatives working unsafely at height.

Inspectors visited the site and found workmen working on the flashings of a chimney from a ladder resting on the pitch of the roof at the unguarded gable end of the two storey house.

There was a lack of suitable measures in place to prevent a person falling from the gable end of the building. HSE issued a prohibition notice but the company took no action to rectify the dangerous working conditions.

G&S Roofing Ltd of Pembroke Lodge, 3 Pembroke Road, Ruslip was found guilty in its absence to breaching Regulations 4(1)(a) and  4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 by virtue of Regulation 3(b). The company was fined a total of £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,574.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Rebekah Dunn said: “The dangers associated with working at height are well-known and G & S Roofing had a duty to protect all operatives from the risk of falling from height. Despite repeated advice, the company failed to put in adequate precautionary measures.

“It is vital for duty-holders to ensure that all issues related to health and safety are suitably addressed, particularly when the issues are highlighted.”

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