Langaton Steel Fabrications has been fined £12,000 after young male construction worker fell through a fragile roof on a petrol station project in Barnstaple
On the 23rd August 2017, a 19-year old employee was on his first day working on the roof replacement at a petrol filling station in Barnstaple.
He was assisting another worker when he fell 7.5 meters through a thin metal sheet, hitting the concrete forecourt below. The fall caused him serious head injuries, a broken pelvis and a broken wrist.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that the Devon-based company, ran by Mr Mark Dayment, had inadequate prior planning for the works which lead to a lack of supervision and safety breaches causing the incident.
Plymouth Magistrates’ Court heard that Mr Dayment was responsible for the safety of his employees and found him guilty to breaching breaching Section 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regs 2005.
As a result, Mr Dayment has been fined £12,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,228.70.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Nicole Buchanan said: “This young man’s injuries were life-changing and he could have easily been killed.
“This serious incident and devastation could have been avoided if basic safe guards had been put in place.
“Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities and injuries in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well-known.”
