Company and director fined for exposing workers to fall from height risks

A solar panel installation company and its sole director have been fined for failing to manage and control fall from height risks.

Reading Crown Court heard how, after a concern was raised by a member of public, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector made a visit to the site where Sasie Limited was installing solar panels on the roof of a commercial building. On this visit the inspector identified two workers on the roof without any form of fall protection and a prohibition notice was served.

When the HSE inspector returned to the site three days later there was further unsafe work being carried out on the roof. An investigation by HSE found that the unsafe work was allowed to continue by the director, Mr Kelly despite a member of public bringing it to his attention and the serving of the prohibition notice.

Sasie Limited of Waterway Street, Nottingham pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and Sections 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and also Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,300.

Mr Een Marsden Kelly of Waterway Street, Nottingham pleaded guilty to breaching two counts of Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £500.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Dominic Goacher said “Falls from heights are the one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities and major injuries.

“All work at height must be properly planned irrespective of the task being undertaken and those in control must ensure suitable control measures to prevent falls are in place throughout the duration of the project”.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. hse.gov.uk
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: legislation.gov.uk/
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk
4. Further information about best practices can be found in freely available HSE guidance http://hse.gov.uk/construction/safetyopics/roofwork.htm