Roofer risks life at Takeaway Shop
A Bolton roofer has been prosecuted after he put lives at risk on the roof of a fish and chip shop.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) took legal action against the roofer after he and a labourer were spotted balancing dangerously on the roof of the Bar on Manchester Road in the town.
An inspector visited the premises earlier after receiving a report that the owner had allowed materials, including bits of tiles and wood, to be dropped onto the pavement below.
When the inspector arrived at the property, he found scaffolding had been put up at the front but there was nothing at the back to stop the workers slipping and falling to the ground below.The Court was also told that he had not put up any protective mesh guarding to prevent materials falling to the ground, despite members of the public still entering the fish and chip shop during part of the day.
He eventually admitted two breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 by failing to take action to stop workers being injured in a fall, and by not preventing materials falling to the ground below.
He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £800 in prosecution costs.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Ian Betley commented:
"This was a basic error that could have resulted in someone being seriously injured or even killed. Not only did he put himself in danger, he also risked the life of the labourer he employed.”
Updated on 9/13/2011