A Norwich-based glazing firm has been fined after a worker fell from the roof of a van while loading equipment onto the vehicle.

Anglian Windows Limited, of Anson Road, Norwich, pleaded guilty for breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 at Livingston Sheriff Court. It was fined £10,000.

The court heard how Alan Campbell, 47, was working at a domestic property in Linlithgow, Scotland on 19 June 2012.

However, he fell while loading an easi-dec system onto the roof of a van.

He suffered two bleeds to the brain and was kept in an induced coma for over three weeks.

-- Advertisement --

After having a metal plate inserted to partly reshape his face, Mr Campbell now suffers from epilepsy and is unable to drive.

A joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service found Anglian Windows had failed to provide sufficient information, instruction, training and supervision to employees who were required to load and unload equipment from van roofs.

HSE Inspector Ritchie McCrae said: "Loading and unloading of materials and equipment from van roofs should be properly planned and appropriate control measures identified and employed.

"On this occasion, Anglian Windows failed to control the risk of falls from van roofs as the company was entirely reliant on an instruction which was not properly communicated and was not monitored to check compliance.

"As a result of this, an incident occurred which was entirely preventable and an employee sustained serious and life changing injuries."

(LM/MH)