Company fined for professional negligence
A Lowestoft-based metal manufacturer was today fined £3,000, after an employee fell through a fragile roof in a work accident.
The 54-year-old man was installing some air conditioning ducting in Ellough, near Beccles, on 5 April 2008, when he fell a metre through a fragile roof.
The HSE investigation found that the man landed on internal steel duct work and suffered personal injury as a result.
Therefore, his employers were fined £3,000 and £3,900 in public liability costs. The Lowestoft Magistrates Court found them guilty of four breaches of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, with respect to the company's duties to employees.
HSE Inspector, Julie Jarvey said that the company had failed to provide adequate information, instruction and training for working at height.
They also did not undertake proper risk assessments or implement safe systems of work for the job.
She said, "He received significant injuries following this incident, causing him to be absent from work for several weeks. Had he not landed on the internal duct work, the fall could have proved fatal."
The inspector commented on the judge's verdict: "This case highlights the need for companies to do everything possible to minimise the risk employees face when working at height."
Updated on 05/03/2010