A West Midlands roofing firm has been fined after a passing safety official spotted an employee working unsafely at height without any fall protection.

Water Orton-based GS Roofing Specialists LLP was prosecuted following the chance encounter at the Kelvin Way Trading Estate in West Bromwich on 26 September 2013.

Sandwell Magistrates' Court heard that an inspector for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was on the industrial estate when he spotted two workers on a fragile roof of a nearby business unit. He noted they working on the roof without any adequate fall prevention or fall mitigation measures in place.

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A subsequent HSE investigation found that GS Roofing Specialists LLP had prepared a risk assessment and method statement for this work that stated that guard rails and netting would be used. They weren't, and suitable boarding, platforms, or coverings were also overlooked.

GS Roofing Specialists LLP, of Attleboro Lane, Water Orton, was fined £7,500 and ordered to pay £1,090 costs after pleading guilty to breaching regulation 9(2) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

(CD/JP)