Be aware of roofing dangers, builders told
Builders have been warned over the dangers attached to carrying out roofing works on business premises.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) made the statement following an accident that saw a builder seriously injured after he fell through a building roof. Webber Trading Ltd, the worker’s employer, was last week fined £6,000 after pleading guilty to health and safety failures.
Webber Trading Ltd had been contracted by the building owner to carry out industrial roof repairs, which required them to fit steel sheets over the existing plastic roof lights. While carrying out the works, the worker stepped on an unprotected area of the roof and sustained significant injuries after it subsided.
Martin Smith, a HSE Inspector, said:
“Last year (2007-08) more than half (52%) of the workers who died on construction sites worked in refurbishment, repair and maintenance.
“The measures which should have been taken in order to prevent this incident happening are straightforward and well documented. It is clear that the director and the company failed to recognise the risks posed in working on the fragile rooflights. This serious incident could have been avoided.”
06/10/09
