Construction firm fined £144,000 after roof fall

A Hertfordshire based construction firm has received a large fine following a roofing accident in 2013 when a labourer fell from a partly demolished roof and suffered serious injury.

Sadly no scaffolding had been provided and the worker was not being supervised.  As a result the labourer fell 5m from the roof to the ground sustaining a series of injuries including a fractured spine.  The labourer remained in an induced coma for two weeks and in hospital for three months.

Following the incident the site was inspected by the HSE and unsupervised demolition work was still being carried out.  The HSE immediately served enforcement notices to ensure protection of workers and the public.

Following lengthy legal proceedings, Mountway Limited pleaded guilty to breaches of the Health & Safety at Work Act etc.1974 and was fined £144,000 and ordered to pay a significant sum in costs (£42,606.15).

The HSE commented after the hearing: “Mr Vancea’s injuries were life changing and he could have easily been killed.  This serious incident would have been avoided if scaffolding had been provided.  Mountway Limited’s site documents even identified it was needed.”

This case highlights the heavy fines that could occur following breaches of health and safety regulations and the significant costs a company can be expected to pay.  It highlights the importance of supervision on projects to ensure that reasonable steps have been taken to prevent injury to workers.

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