
![]() |
Mark Sennett
Managing Editor |
![]() |
Kelly Rose
Editor |
Home> | Slips, Trips & Falls | >Fall Prevention | >Solar panel company fined after worker falls |
Home> | Slips, Trips & Falls | >Fall Protection | >Solar panel company fined after worker falls |
Home> | Premises | >Risk Management | >Solar panel company fined after worker falls |
Solar panel company fined after worker falls
12 August 2019
A SOLAR panel company has been fined after a worker fell through a skylight during the installation of solar panels on a farm workshop in East Sussex.

Brighton Magistrates Court heard how, on the 23 July 2018, an employee of SolarUK Limited was carrying out installation work on the fragile roof in Ninfield. As he stood to move, he stepped on the unprotected skylight and fell approximately four metres to the workshop floor below sustaining multiple and long-term injuries to his wrist.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that, although the company knew the risks from fragile surfaces and unprotected edges, they failed to plan or supervise the work to ensure that access to hazardous areas was prevented. As such the workers were at risk from falls throughout the job.
SolarUK Limited of Vantage Point, Battle, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of The Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £40,000 and ordered pay costs of £2,000 in addition to a victim surcharge of £170.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Nicola Wellard said, “The risks associated with fragile roofs are widely known throughout this industry. Failing to protect workers from this risk is inexcusable. Simple safety measures could have prevented this incident and the long-term injuries to the worker.”
- Farm worker fatally injured by telehandler
- Roofer sentenced after carbon monoxide release
- Government publishes landmark Building Safety Bill
- Safety at Work 2022 report highlights concerns
- Sickness absence falls
- National Highways to reward driver risk management performance
- BSC says asbestos legacy must be tackled
- Chemical company employee suffered multiple fractures
- Practitioner's viewpoint Dec/Jan 20
- Forcing small businesses to pay for health and safety inspections would add to red tape woes, says Forum of Private Business