![PP Construction Safety logo and link to home page [1]](http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/wp-content/themes/ppcs960/images/ppcslogo.jpg)
Workman fell through fragile rooflight during poorly planned roof leak repair
Recticel Ltd, of Alfreton, Derbyshire has been ordered to pay over £18k in fines and prosecution costs after a workman fell through a roof at its Derbyshire factory.
The workman was repairing a leaking roof at the premises on 28 January 2009. He had fixed the leak and was walking back down the roof when he fell through a fragile roof light.
The worker fell approximately four metres onto a section of foam on a conveyor belt below, and then onto the floor. He suffered tissue damage and was off work for six weeks. The incident has left him with residual pain and stiffness.
Proper planning as important for small roof repairs as for larger jobs
Investigators found Recticel had failed to properly plan the work and consider the risks from fragile surfaces.
HSE inspector Noelle Walker said:
“Work at height remains one of the biggest causes of injury in the workplace.
The work had not been properly planned by Recticel and the company failed to take into account the risk posed by the roof light.
Proper planning is as important for small short-term roof repairs as it is for larger jobs and in this case it would have prevented a worker being injured.”
Before Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court, Recticel Ltd admitted breaching Work at Height Regulations – Regulation 4(1) and Regulation 9(1). The company was fined a total of £13,000 and ordered to pay £5,098 prosecution costs.