Company fined after worker plunges through open skylight

Date:

30 March 2010

Release No:

767/W/10

A Llanelli cladding firm has been fined after an employee fell through an open skylight at a retail unit he was working on.

Stephen Armstrong-Esther was re-cladding a retail outlet roof at the Parc Trostre retail outlet when the incident occurred on 2 August 2005.

In a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Llanelli Magistrates' Court heard Mr Armstrong-Esther was working for Ammex Ltd, of Llannon Road, Pontyberem.

He was carrying a roof panel with a colleague when he fell almost four metres through an unprotected skylight onto a mezzanine floor below. He sustained serious injuries including fractures to his ribs and back, nerve damage to his leg and also memory and hearing loss.

Ammex Ltd was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £6,750 costs after pleading guilty yesterday (29 March 2010) to charges under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

In warning of the dangers of working at height, HSE Inspector Anne Marie Orrells said:

"This case has concluded at a time when HSE is reminding those in the construction industry of the dangers of working at height and the devastating effects of slips trips and falls through its Shattered Lives campaign.

"The HSE is currently carrying out visits in Wales to highlight the possible dangers involved in refurbishment and roofing work.

"Mr Armstrong-Esther has suffered long lasting effects from his injuries since the incident which is now four years ago, and which could have been prevented. Openings, such as skylights, in roofs must have suitable protection around them to prevent workers from falling into them."

One worker died and 243 were injured as a result of a slip, trip or fall in the construction industry in Wales in 2008/09.

Notes to editors

1. Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states:"It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees."
2. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It works to prevent death, injury and ill-health to those at work and those affected by work activities. For more information about the work of HSE, visit www.hse.gov.uk
3. Reportable major injuries include fractures, other than to fingers, thumbs and toes; amputations; dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine; loss of sight (temporary or permanent); chemical or hot metal burn to the eye or any penetrating injury to the eye; injury resulting from an electric shock or electrical burn leading to unconsciousness, or requiring resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours; any other injury: leading to hypothermia, heat-induced illness or unconsciousness; or requiring resuscitation; or requiring admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours; and unconsciousness caused by asphyxia or exposure to harmful substance or biological agent.

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR Wales