Measures to prevent fall weren’t implemented

A construction firm has been fined after a worker fell through a roof window opening, suffering multiple fractures.

Luton Magistrates Court was told how the employee of Sunshine Lofts Limited was carrying out work on a new build extension when his foot slipped and he fell through a roof light gap, landing on the concrete floor below. The worker suffered two broken ribs and a broken hip.

The HSE’s investigation into the incident, which occurred on 26 July 2016, found that although the company had identified in risk assessments suitable measures to prevent falls they had failed to implement these at the time of the injured persons fall.

Working at height breach

Sunshine Lofts Limited of Holywell Hill, St. Albans, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,008.35.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Samantha Wells said “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well-known.

“In this case, by putting in place measures to prevent falls through the skylight including boarding over the gaps, or providing a scaffold platform under the roof under construction, could have removed the danger of falling.”

Approaches to managing the risks associated Musculoskeletal disorders

In this episode of the Safety & Health Podcast, we hear from Matt Birtles, Principal Ergonomics Consultant at HSE’s Science and Research Centre, about the different approaches to managing the risks associated with Musculoskeletal disorders.

Matt, an ergonomics and human factors expert, shares his thoughts on why MSDs are important, the various prevalent rates across the UK, what you can do within your own organisation and the Risk Management process surrounding MSD’s.

Listen now!