A 19-year-old roofer suffered multiple fractures after falling through a rooflight and landing on the occupied factory floor, ten metres below.
Sitting on 31 August, Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that Dalkeith firm TQR Ltd had been sub-contracted to carry out roof repairs at the premises on the Buttlerfield Industrial Estate in Bonnyrigg. TQR sub-contracted the work to David O’Neill, who supplied the labour for the job, working under the direction of TQR.
On 2 April 2008, the 19-year-old roofer, who was working for O’Neill, was preparing to install over-cladding on the roof, to provide an extra layer of protection against rain and help prevent leaks. As he was walking across the roof he stepped on a plastic rooflight, which gave way, and he fell through. He was taken to hospital and received treatment for a fractured skull, broken leg, and a fractured hip.
HSE inspector Alastair Brown told SHP:”Both contractors involved failed to recognise the risks posed by the presence of fragile rooflights on this building, or to establish their fragility prior to work beginning. There were no measures in place to prevent access to the rooflights, or to stop workers being able to fall through.”
TQR Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching s3(1) of the HSWA 1974 and was fined £6000. David O’Neill pleaded guilty to s3(2) of the HSWA 1974 and was fined £3000. No costs are awarded in Scotland.
In mitigation, both firms said they had no previous convictions and regretted the incident. Afterwards, both companies ensured that protective barriers were put around the rooflights before the work resumed.
Inspector Brown added: “The measures which should have been taken to prevent this incident happening were straightforward and well documented. In view of the well-known risks posed by rooflights during industrial roof works this was very disappointing, and resulted in a serious incident that could have been avoided.”
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