Firms fined after roof fall

Prosecutions and Claims |
18.02.2008

A construction firm and a principal contractor must pay nearly £70,000 after two workers suffered multiple fractures and spinal injuries after falling through the roof of a derelict barn.

Hertfordshire firm Environmental Reclamation Ltd (ERL) had been contracted to demolish and clear farm buildings at a site in Oving, Buckinghamshire.

On 17 May 2006, two ERL employees were walking across the asbestos cement roof of an unstable barn at the site when it gave way and they fell around four metres to a concrete floor.

The men suffered serious injuries and were taken by air ambulance to hospital.

ERL was found guilty at Aylesbury Crown Court of failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of employees, contrary to Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act, and failing to plan and carry out work at height safely, contrary to Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations.

On 15 February, ERL was fined a total of £30,000 with £21,360 costs.

Bedfordshire-based Clarks Construction, which acted as principal contractor for the project, was fined £7500 and ordered to pay £9388 costs after pleading guilty to failing to ensure the safety of non-employees, in breach of Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

HSE inspector Norman Macritchie said "the fines highlight the seriousness of this - entirely preventable - incident." He added that the accident had had "devastating effects" on those involved.