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Three metre fall through garage roof causes life-changing injuries
A small builder has been fined after an employee fell more than 3m through a garage roof. Anthony Murphy, 53, fell through the fragile roof when helping contractor Hugh Pattison remove vegetation from the roof of a block of garages in, Whitstable, Kent in February 2010.
He suffered fractured ribs and sternum in the fall plus life-threatening internal injuries. Several bones in his back were broken so badly they could not be repaired with plates.
HSE investigators found there was no edge protection to prevent falls and the platforms they were working on were inadequate for the job in hand.
Injured man lucky to survive
Hugh Pattison of Ripley Road, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was fined £800 and ordered to pay costs of £200.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Kevin Golding said:
“Mr Murphy was extremely lucky to survive. Falls from height are the biggest killer at work and roofers account for almost a quarter of these deaths. Falls through fragile materials, such as cement roofs, account for more of these deaths than any other single cause.
This high-hazard work should be properly planned and undertaken by trained and competent staff, with appropriate fall prevention equipment. HSE provides extensive guidance on safe roof work which is readily available via the website so there is no excuse for employers to carry out such work in a dangerous manner. Where companies do, HSE will take enforcement action.”