A construction company has been prosecuted for health and safety breaches that led to a worker falling four metres from the roof of a building.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted TMN Fabrications of Spalding Moor, East Yorkshire for three separate offences relating to the incident.
The firm, which is now in liquidation, was found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, Regulation 3(2) of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995, and Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 at Beverley Magistrates' Court today.
The court heard that on 28 January 2009, Dean Lightowlerfell from the roof of the building at Park Farm, near York while fitting fibre-cement roof sheeting.
TMN Fabrications failed to provide adequate edge-protection, nets or suitable work platforms for its employees during the roof work. A month after the incident employees were again required to work on the roof without adequate safeguards.
The company also failed to report Mr Lightowler's fall until 17 March - more than two months after it occurred. It was fined £22,500 and £7,103 costs.
After the hearing Inspector Geoff Clark said: "I hope today's prosecution reminds companies that inadequate protection when working at height is unacceptable. HSE provides free guidance on the required standards for companies when working at height.
"If these standards are not followed it poses a risk of serious, if not fatal injuries for those at work, and HSE will take action."
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