Measures to prevent falling from or through the roof were missing
Measures to prevent falling from or through the roof were missing
A logistics company has been fined £80,000 after failing to provide fall protection for workers replacing the roof of its Blackburn premises in May 2019.
Blackpool Magistrates heard how HSE inspectors visited the warehouse and observed two workers on the roof without any physical protection or any work equipment in place to prevent or minimise the distance of a fall.
Further investigation revealed that the roof of the warehouse was fragile and people were at risk of falling through the structure.
The defendant did not have measures in place to prevent workers falling from or through the roof from which they could suffer personal injury or even death.
Working beneath roof using MEWP required
The removal of tiles should have been carried out from underneath the roof using a scissor lift or a cherry picker.
Scaffolding should have been in place to create a barrier against and to minimise the distance of a possible fall.
- Speed Drop Logistics Ltd – of Manner Sutton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1570.60.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Stuart Hadfield, said:
“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.
Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standard.”