Demolishing an agricultural building

Summary

A farmer was prosecuted following an accident to an employee who fell through a roof skylight onto a concrete floor.

Two employees were dismantling a farm building. As one of the workers walked across the roof he fell through a skylight to the concrete floor below suffering multiple fractures and head injuries.

It appears that the employees had been left to themselves to organise and plan the demolition of the building. No method statement or other plan had been devised to ensure the work could be carried out safely. In the absence of a method statement or plan, the workers decided on the method of demolition amongst themselves and in doing so, no thought was given as to how to prevent falls and no precautions were taken. The route used to access the ridge meant that workers had to walk close to unprotected fragile skylights and no safety netting or other fall prevention methods were used.

Action

The director of the farming business was prosecuted under regulations 4(1) and 9(2) of the Work at Heights Regulations 2005. He pleaded guilty and was fined £2,000 on each charge and ordered to pay £842.40 towards the cost of bringing the prosecution.

Advice

All work on roofs is high risk. All workers should be trained in safe working practices. A risk assessment should be carried out for all roofing jobs. Except in the most straightforward circumstances, a written method statement should be prepared. This should help to ensure that all involved understand exactly what they have to do. It is important to ensure that workers are adequately supervised.

Protection against falls is required whenever anyone works on or near fragile roofing materials. Suitable protection will normally include a combination of coverings, guardrails, safety nets, and safety harnesses. Walking across the roof sheets or purlins should NEVER be allowed.

Further guidance

Guidance on the Work at Height Regulations 2005 is available on the HSE website and free HSE booklet INDG401 .