Untrained Employee falls through fragile sky light.

Historically, fragile roofs and sky lights have continuous caused accidents when working at height.  A thorough risk assessment and fall procurement equipment is necessary for repairs to roofs, particularly those fragile in nature.
 
Phillip Posnett, a self-employed business man has been fined £16,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,330.80 by Liverpool Magistrates’ Court. Mr Posnett’s employee, Ian Kirby, who was replacing a broken tile on a roof, stepped onto an adjacent section of roof to remove debris and fell through a fragile sky light on a farm building.
 
Mr Kirby suffered broken ribs, a broken collar bone, a chip to the spine, as well as head injuries. Mr Kirby received medical attention in hospital and was unable to return to work for six months.
 
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred in November 2014 found that a sufficient risk assessment for the job had not been completed. The employee, Ian Kirby had not undergone working at height safety training. 
 
HSE inspector Jane Carroll said after the hearing: “Falls through fragile roofs are a well-documented hazard when undertaking roof work of any type. This case highlights how a failure to risk assess a job properly and identify the presence of a fragile roof can lead to serious personal injury for workers.”
 
If you would like to train your employees in height safety CSS Worksafe offer year round Height Safety Training for £140 per person at their dedicated training centre in Bromsgrove. 
 
Contact CSS Worksafe to reduce the risks associated with working at height on 0800 783 0757 or info@cssworksafe.com or visit www.css-worksafe.co.uk/
Fall Protection