Fine after window cleaner falls from height

Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 24 February 2016, three operatives were cleaning a 400-panel solar array on the pig shed roof at Lingham Lane Piggery, Dishforth. The men had nearly finished the job when one of them walked up the roof towards the apex. He  was not aware of the fragile roof light and walked on to it. The roof light broke, and he fell more than seven metres to the floor of the barn.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company failed to ensure that the risks from working at height had been minimised.

Premier Window Cleaners Lt d Greenacres, Huntington, York pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

The company has been fined £6000 and ordered to pay £819 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Rachel Brittain commented, “This incident could so easily have been avoided by carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.

“If the work had been carried out from an elevated work platform with harnesses and lanyards, falls from height would have been mitigated.”