In Court
Broken bones due to work at height failures
A company specialising in the installation of biomass heating systems and photovoltaic solar systems has been sentenced after a worker suffered a serious injury when he fell from height.
On 27 March 2015, an operative was installing a flue system for a biomass heating system at a farm in North Yorkshire. He had attempted to work from a ladder at the side of the outbuilding but when this proved ineffectual, he resorted to climbing onto the roof to complete the works. Whilst working on the roof, the operative fell around two metres through the fragile cement sheet, suffering injuries that included broken bones in the left ankle.
The HSE’s investigation found the company had failed to adequately plan the installation of the heating system and the necessary work at height. Furthermore, it was also found the company had failed to provide suitable work at height equipment such as a mobile elevated work platform, edge protection, crawl boards, a roof ladder or scaffolding.
Duncan Plumbing Heating and Electrics Ltd of Rudgate Business Park, Tockwith, North Yorkshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £32,000 with costs of £2,424.60.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector James Harvey commented: “Work at height, such as roof work, is a high-risk activity that accounts for a high proportion of workplace serious injuries and fatalities each year.
“This case highlights the importance of following well-known industry guidance to plan and assess the work at height requirements needed to complete the work safely.”
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Broken bones due to work at height failures
A company specialising in the installation of biomass heating systems and photovoltaic solar systems has been sentenced after a worker suffered a serious injury when he fell from height.
Alison Fava
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