A roofer has been prosecuted for health and safety failings during work at a butchers in Manchester.

Michael Anthony Roden of Ribble Walk, Droylsden, Manchester, was sentenced for breaching health and safety laws at Wheildons Butchers in November last year.

Greater Manchester Magistrates' Court heard how Mr Roden (who also trades as M&R Roofing and Onyx Roofing) and his employee were contracted to carry out roof replacement work at the butchers, however he failed to implement any form of edge protection or scaffolding whilst the roofing work was carried out and did not have employers' liability compulsory insurance.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Mr Roden had previously been served with two prohibition notices on two separate occasions with regards to working from a height with no suitable edge protection.

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HSE said despite this, he continued to work without appropriate scaffolding and, in doing so, put himself and his employee at risk of a fall from height, as well as members of the public who were at risk from any falling materials.

Mr Roden pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6 (3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, Regulation 10 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Section 1 (1) of the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years, 240 hours community service and ordered to pay costs of £4,600.

HSE inspector Matt Greenly said the incident could have been avoided if Mr Roden had the correct control measures and safe working practices in place.

"Mr Roden chose to save money by not having scaffolding and in doing so put his life at risk as well as the lives of his employee and visitors to the butcher's shop," he said.

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

(LM/MH)