£250k fine after worker falls through roof

Alison Fava

A management and maintenance company has been sentenced for safety breaches after a worker fell through a flat roof.

On 14 September 2016, two operatives were undertaking a flat roof replacement of a single storey outhouse at the rear of premises in Moorends, Doncaster. During the reroofing a joist failed causing one of the operatives to fall internally through the roof. The operative sustained three cracked ribs, contusions and was unable to work for seven months.

The HSE’s investigation found that the company failed to ensure that the work at height was properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner.

In court

At Sheffield Magistrates Court, St Leger Homes of Doncaster Ltd of White Rose Way, Doncaster pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £250,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,086.20.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Stuart Whitesmith commented: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.”

“Those in control of work at height have a responsibility to ensure that it is properly planned and appropriately supervised to ensure that it is carried out in a safe manner.”