A company and a contractor have both been prosecuted after a self-employed worker suffered multiple injuries when he fell through a fragile roof.

The Lundy Company Limited of Shottesbrooke Park, Maidenhead, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It has been fined £30,000 with £4,800 in costs.

Justin Courtney Ford of Carnyorth, Cornwall pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regs 2005. He was given a three-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £2,500 in costs.

-- Advertisement --

Exeter Magistrates' Court heard how the self-employed worker was working to remove a roof on 11 August 2015 when he fell over three metres onto concrete flooring.

His injuries included a broken collar bone, broken ribs, a partial collapsed lung, and a head injury, as a result of the fall.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the work, which was carried out between February 2015 to August 2015, was not properly planned, appropriately supervised or carried out in a safe manner

HSE said The Lundy Company failed to ensure they nominated a competent contractor to carry out the work. In addition, the work was carried out under the control of Mr Ford without any scaffolding or safety precautions to prevent falls from height.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Nicole Buchanan said: "This incident could so easily have been avoided had the company simply carried out correct control measures and safe working practices.

"Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards."

(LM/MH)