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Director suggests ’interference’ by others played part in fatal fall
The trial of Colin Cooper, aged 48 and owner of IC Roofing Ltd, is ongoing. He denies the charge of manslaughter. The case arises from the death of Darren Hoofe, aged 20, who fell 6m to his death through the roof of an industrial unit. Mr Cooper told the court he did not ignore the risks of the job and had taken the necessary safety precautions. The court heard that the occupier of the unit asked the roof workers to change their sequence of work because they were disrupting work in the premises below.
Mr Cooper said the system of work usually involved a “front to back” system with roofers working from new sections of roof. He said “the mistake came when they were asked to change their working practice.” The jury heard that Mr Cooper inspected the building before the project started and decided that safety nets were not practicable. In addition he thought the asbestos roof sheets ”weren’t of a weak nature”. The trial continues.