Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how Advanced Industrial Roofing and Cladding Solutions Limited (AIRCSL) and Stephen Bell had been in the process of installing a new industrial roof over the existing asbestos cement roof, at Brunswick Industrial Estate, New Southgate, when the worker stepped backwards onto a neighbouring unit and fell through a fragile roof light.
The HSE’s investigation found AIRCSL failed to take suitable measures to prevent persons falling whilst working at height; and that Stephen Bell, a sub-contractor, failed to plan, manage and monitor the works carried out by workers under his control.
AIRCSL of Essex pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6 (3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Stephen Bell, of Grays pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15 (2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
AIRCSL was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,278. Stephen Bell was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay costs of £2,000.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Jack Wilby said: “This is sadly another incident involving someone falling through a fragile roof and it is lucky that the injuries were not more severe. This incident highlights the importance of planning work at height and putting in place suitable control measures, including those preventing or managing access to fragile roofs.”
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