A steel fabricator in north Devon has been fined after an employee fell through a fragile roof.

A 19-year old employed by Mark Dayment, trading as Langaton Steel Fabrications, was on his first day of working on a roof replacement project at a petrol filling station in Barnstaple. Whilst assisting another worker, he took a few steps off the walkway and fell 7.5 metres through a thin metal sheet onto the concrete forecourt below. The young worker suffered serious head injuries, a broken pelvis and a broken wrist as a result of the fall.

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Mark Dayment of North Road, South Moulton pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regs 2005, and has been fined £12,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,228.70.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the work was not properly planned, appropriately supervised or carried out in a safe manner when the incident occurred. Mr Dayment, had a duty to control how the work was carried out, including staff supervision.

(CD)