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Lack of edge protection and system of work caused fall
A sole trader who erects farms buildings has today been fined £15k after an employee fractured both legs in a 3m fall from the roof of a new farm building.
There were no safety measures in place to prevent falls and the work at height had not been properly planned and controlled.
Contactors must plan manage and monitor
RDM Engineering (Mr Robert Peter Mackie) pleaded guilty to HSW Act S2 offences.
The Banff Sherriff Court heard how, on 20 November 2008 an employee was fixing a roof sheet onto the roof of a new potato store when he slipped and fell from the edge of the roof. He landed on an adjacent roof below, breaking his leg in two places.
Following the case, HSE Inspector Liz Standen said: “All employers carrying out work at height must ensure that the risks are fully assessed, the job is thoroughly planned and that suitable equipment is used. There is no excuse for leaving roofs under construction unguarded against falls.
“I find it very frustrating that people continue to be needlessly injured and killed because of a lack of basic planning and simple precautions.
“HSE statistics show that during 2008/09 10 people died and 1,423 were injured in Scotland while working in construction. These incidents are nearly always preventable when using the right equipment for the job.”