Working at height remains No. 1 cause of workplace fatalities

Working at height breaches still too common

A construction company has been fined for working at height violations, after a worker fell through a roof window opening, suffering broken ribs and a fractured hip.

The Magistrates Court in Luton heard how the employee of the firm was carrying out work on a new build extension when his foot slipped and he fell through a roof light gap. He landed on the concrete floor below suffering two broken ribs and a broken hip.

The incident, which occurred on 26 July 2016 was investigated by The HSE. They found that despite the firm having identified in risk assessments suitable measures to prevent falls, they had failed to implement these control measures at the time of the injured workers fall.

Sizeable fine for breach

The firm, based in St. Albans, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 received a fine of £30,000 and was ordered to pay costs of £2,008.35.

HSE inspector Samantha Wells stated after the hearing,

“Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well-known.

“In this case, by putting in place measures to prevent falls through the skylight including boarding over the gaps, or providing a scaffold platform under the roof under construction, could have removed the danger of falling.”

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