Suffolk company fined after worker fell through roof

Date:

25 February 2010

Release No:

HSE-E-53

Eastern Hardware Ltd, a Lowestoft-based company which manufactures metal was today fined £3,000 after a worker fell through a fragile roof.

Paul Garrod, aged 54, an employee of Eastern Hardware Ltd was installing some air conditioning ducting at Express Composites, in Ellough, near Beccles, on 5 April 2008 when he fell a metre through a fragile roof. Mr Garrod landed on internal steel duct work and suffered significant bruising as a result.

Eastern Hardware Company Ltd was fined £3,000 with £3,900 costs, at Lowestoft Magistrates Court today (February 25th), after a breach of four breaches of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, with respect to the company's duties to employees.

The HSE investigation found that the company had failed to provide adequate information, instruction and training for working at height. They had also failed to undertake suitable and sufficient risk assessments or implement safe systems of work for the job. There was no recognition that there was a fragile roof and suitable work at height equipment was not provided.

HSE Inspector, Julie Jarvey said:

"Mr Garrod received significant injuries following this incident, causing him to be absent from work for several weeks. Had he not landed on the internal duct work, the fall could have proved fatal. This case highlights the need for companies to do everything possible to minimise the risk employees face when working at height.

HSE provides plenty of advice and guidance for employers on how to keep their workers safe while working at height. "

Notes to editors

1. Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 states that ''it shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all his employees.
2. Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states that "every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work."
3. Regulation 6 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 states that "where work is carried out at height, every employer shall take suitable and sufficient measures to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any person falling a distance liable to cause personal injury"
4. For more information on managing risks in the workplace www.hse.gov.uk/risk

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