A self-employed builder has been fined after one of his workers fell from a roof during work to build an extension at a house.

Frank Gaskin, a self-employed builder who trades under the name of FG Blockplan from Coldstream Road, Caterham, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6 (3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. He was fined £2,400 with over £2,935 in costs and a victim surcharge of £120.


Redhill Magistrates heard how the victim was employed as part of a team to build an extension to a house.

While working on the roof, he stepped backwards and fell 3.2 metres through an opening in a roof onto the concrete floor. His injuries included broken ribs, swelling to his brain and nerve damage.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the roofing team were working adjacent to an opening in the roof created previously, but as it had begun to rain they wanted to cover the exposed parts with plastic sheeting and tarpaulins.

The opening, which was approximately 2 metres by 1.5 metres, had no measures to prevent persons falling, or mitigate the consequences of any fall.

(LM/MH)