Construction UK Construction Directory
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Share this page
Construction News
23/03/2016

Solar Panel Firm Fined After Worker Falls Through Roof Light

Construction News Image
A solar panel firm has been fined after a worker fell through a fragile roof light during repair works at a private home in Kent.

Glasgow-based P V Solar UK Limited, of Cambuslang Road, pleaded guilty to three separate breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

It was fined £153,000 with £29,480 in costs.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how the 32-year-old worker was part of a three man team working on the pool building to replace faulty solar panels at Elvington Lane in Hawkinge on 30 April 2013.

Initially, the panels had been installed by the same company in April 2011.

However, while he was carrying a panel, the worker crashed through one of the eight roof lights and landed in a swimming pool.

Although the water partially cushioned his fall, he made a heavy impact with the side and flooring around the pool, fracturing his shin and vertebra.

The employee was unable to return to work until January this year, and only then on a part-time basis.

-- Advertisement --
hss

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that more could and should have been done by P V Solar UK to prevent the fall.

HSE established that a scaffold tower, ladder and safety harness had been provided for the panel replacement work. However, none of the installation team had received any formal training or instruction on how to use them, effectively rendering the equipment useless. Other measures could also have been taken, such as providing full scaffolding or hard covers for the rooflights.

In addition, although the initial installation work in 2011 was completed without incident, the safety equipment provided on that occasion was also lacking, which again placed workers at risk.

The court also heard that P V Solar was served with a Prohibition Notice to stop unsafe work on a fragile roof in Bristol in May 2011.

HS said the company was therefore well aware of the need to ensure that adequate provisions were in place to prevent or mitigate falls during work at height.

HSE Inspector Melvyn Stancliffe said: "The injured worker suffered serious injury in the fall and could have been killed. He and his colleagues were effectively left to their own devices with equipment that was not wholly suited for the task at hand. In short, better equipment, training and supervision should have been provided.

"Working on or near a fragile roof or materials is not a task to be undertaken without proper planning, and without having the appropriate safety measures in place at all times. There is considerable free guidance available from the HSE regarding the precautions needed when working at height, including on or near fragile roof coverings."

(LM)

Latest Construction News

02/05/2024

Engineering steel specialist, William Hare Group, has scooped a contract to deliver the design, fabrication and installation of a sustainable steel solution for the latest iconic development at Broadgate in London. 2 Finsbury Avenue will comprise a 21-storey West Tower and a 36-storey East Tower, ...
02/05/2024

National Grid has teamed up with Smart Wires on an innovation project to make better use of grid enhancing technologies such as advanced power flow controllers, with the goal of reducing network congestion and maximising the potential of existing infrastructure. The Network Innovation Allowance ...
02/05/2024

Glencar and its client Wrenbridge have started construction work on a new 213,874 sq ft logistics and industrial unit at their new landmark 'Junction' gateway development in Luton. To mark the occasion a special ceremony was held on site attended by representatives from Wrenbridge, Glencar and the ...
02/05/2024

Speedy Hire has been named a Financial Times Europe Climate Leader for the second consecutive year. This accolade is awarded to the companies who are most successfully reducing their core greenhouse gas emissions, with Speedy Hire named due to its track record in supporting the decarbonisation of ...
02/05/2024

Boost safety and productivity in the workplace. It's time to say goodbye to your old hand pallet truck and call in new help. Get the support your business needs for everyday transport or stacking tasks, by moving goods safer and easier than ever with HC-Forklift-UK’s electric pallet trucks. ...
02/05/2024

Savills, on behalf of the Tom Duke Life Interest Trust, has announced the sale of Wisbridge Solar Farm for offers over £1.15 million. The 9.34 MW scheme is located between London and Cambridge in Royston, Hertfordshire, and was commissioned in September 2014. The fully operational freehold ...
02/05/2024

Budget Conservatories, a leading provider of high-quality windows and doors, has announced a special promotion to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Throughout the entire month of May, customers will have the opportunity to enjoy significant savings and the chance to win exciting prizes. To ...
02/05/2024

Construction firm Galliford Try has appointed David Lowery to Galliford Try’s Executive Board with effect from 1 July 2024, in the newly-created position of Divisional Managing Director of Infrastructure. David, who has extensive UK and overseas experience comprising more than 24 years, will ...
02/05/2024

Selco Builders Warehouse has created a fourth 'Selco Forest' as part of its carbon-offsetting tree-planting scheme. Set in Lomond Hills in Fife, the latest forest to be developed by the leading builders merchant covers 21 hectares and comprises of more than 54,000 trees. It means, over the last ...
02/05/2024

As spring arrives, bringing with it the promise of warmer days, managing your home's heating needs can become a little trickier, warns Rob Nezard, Managing Director of UK Radiators. What's more, it can also prove expensive if not done right. Here Rob spells out SIX spring heating mistakes that ...
Efco UK LtdThink Construction Skills Ltd.Lakeside HireJWCBRICOFLOR UKAqua Direct LtdMetro-Pat 247 LimitedTardis Environmental UK LimitedTotal Care CleaningA-Z Security Services Ltd
Terms and Conditions
2024/05/02 20:55:06