Brighton magistrates heard how numerous concerns were raised by members of the public about work being carried out by G&S Roofing Ltd. The company twice ignored written advice to address the issue of working at height in an unsafe manner.
In August 2016, a member of the public contacted the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) after seeing G&S Roofing operatives working unsafely from height.
HSE inspectors then visited the site and found one of the operatives to be working on the flashings of a chimney from a ladder resting on the pitch of the roof at the unguarded gable end of the two-storey house. There was nothing at the gable end of the roof to prevent a person falling. There were no suitable measures in place to prevent a person falling from the gable end. A prohibition notice was served but ignored.
G&S Roofing Ltd of Pembroke Lodge, 3 Pembroke Road, Ruslip, was found guilty in its absence to breaching Regulations 4(1)(a) and 4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 by virtue of Regulation 3(b). The company was fined a total of £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,574.
HSE inspector Rebekah Dunn said after the hearing: “The dangers associated with working at height are well-known and G&S Roofing had a duty to protect all operatives from the risk of falling from height. Despite repeated advice, the company failed to put in adequate precautionary measures. It is vital for duty-holders to ensure that all issues related to health and safety are suitably addressed, particularly when the issues are highlighted.”
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