Worker falls from roof in adverse weather

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that on 1 February 2018, the 34-year-old-man was getting down from the roof, when he slipped on ice and fell, landing on step ladders.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the director of the company at the time of the incident, Andrew Bradshaw, ignored concerns from workers regarding adverse weather. Inspectors also found that there wasn’t any edge protection in place to prevent a fall from height.

DNA Home Improvement (Cheshire) Limited of Ideal House, Lower Walsall Street, Wolverhampton pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,771.92.

The former director of the company, Andrew Bradshaw, of Chapel House, Middlewich Road, Minshull Vernon, Crewe pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 by virtue of section 37(1) of the same act. He was issued with a 12-month community order requiring him to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £4,807.62

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Rebecca Hamer said, “The risks from working at height are well known. Those in control of the work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working, which should include ensuring the use of suitable work equipment and adequate supervision.”