Contractor fined after fall through skylight

A construction company, Modern Ltd, has been sentenced after a worker fell through a skylight.

Hendon Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 12 May 2017, a worker was carrying out cladding work from a flat roof in Chiswick. In collecting his tools, the worker walked across, a covered skylight, which he assumed to be strong enough to take his weight. The worker fell through this skylight and because of his injuries he is still yet to return to work.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had failed to plan or supervise the work at height. As such an opening where a skylight was going to be installed was covered with a fragile material. The workers on site thought this was a solid surface.

Modern Ltd of Brentwick Gardens, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of The Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £31,250.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Adam Thompson commented “The risks associated with fragile roofs are known throughout the construction industry.

“Failing to protect workers from this risk is inexcusable”

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. www.hse.gov.uk
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk

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