Fine after worker falls through fragile roof

Teesside Crown Court heard how, on 21 July 2016, the injured person had been in the process of installing a roof on a new KFC Drive Thru in Coulby Newham. Whilst moving materials on the roof, he stepped backwards onto an adjacent fragile mesh roof that was not loadbearing, falling approximately three metres and suffering multiple fractures of his lower left back.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that in failing to prevent access to the fragile roof area, the roofing contractor, Metcalfe Roofing & Building Services Limited, had failed to plan and carry out the work at height in a safe manner. The investigation also found the principal contractor, P.D.R. Construction Limited, had failed to plan, manage or monitor an aspect of the construction phase without risk to safety.

P.D.R. Construction Limited of Salisbury House, Priory Park West, Hessle pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £225,000 with £8,000 costs.

Metcalfe Roofing & Building Services Limited of Sandgate Industrial Estate, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £2,000.

After the hearing, HSE inspector John Heslop said: “This incident highlights the importance of thorough risk assessment, appropriate planning and adhering to a safe system of work that is regularly monitored and managed by those in control of that work.”