An unexpected flare from a gas gun caused a roofer to stumble and fall, suffering multiple fractures in his legs
Horizon Roofing Specialist Ltd had been appointed by principal contractor – Bromley-based Property Facilities Group Ltd – to originally undertake the installation of a new roof at Aspire Academy in Welling.
As part of this work, three employees began work on replacing the roof of an existing modular building that was being refurbished, due to the original contractor becoming unavailable to complete the work.
During the work on 29 September 2020, an unexpected flare from a gas gun caused one of the roofers to stumble backwards and fall from the edge of the unprotected roof to the ground below.
The roofer who worked for Horizon Roofing Specialist Limited, suffered multiple fractures to both of his legs, which required surgery.
The accident was caused by failures to plan and supervise safe working
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Property Facilities Group and Horizon Roofing had failed to adequately plan, appropriately supervise, and ensure that the work was carried out in a safe manner.
Property Facilities Group Ltd, of Newman Road, Bromley, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. They were fined £14,000 and was ordered to pay £1,619.25 costs at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on 19 January 2024.
Horizon Roofing Specialist Limited, of Langham Road, Robertsbridge, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. They were fined £3,333 and was ordered to pay £1,619.25 costs at the same hearing.
Basic measures would have prevented the roofer’s fall
After the hearing, HSE inspector Gemma Cox said: “Too many workers are injured every year as a result of falling from roofs with unprotected edges. The victim sustained serious injuries which could have been prevented if basic, industry standard control measures had been put in place.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
