A construction company has been fined after a worker fell from the roof of a partially constructed barn in Shropshire.
Dewi Williams Ltd had appointed the man to complete the installation of roof sheets onto a barn that was under construction at a site in Oswestry.
On 2 September 2023, the worker was standing on a recently installed roof sheet, attempting to put the next one in place, when he fell to the ground.
His fall resulted in significant injuries, including fractures to his ribs and skull.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company failed to properly plan the work and to put in place measures to prevent or protect against a fall from height.
The HSE also found that company director Dewi Williams was directly involved in the work and had allowed it to be carried out in an unsafe manner.
Dewi Williams Ltd, of the Lowlands, Crickheathe, Oswestry, Shropshire, pleaded guilty to breaches of Regulations 4(1) and 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. It was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,000.
Dewi Williams, of the same address, pleaded guilty to the same breaches by virtue of Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.
HSE inspector Sara Andrews said: “This case emphasises the importance of properly assessing the risks associated with all work-at-height activities.”
Falls from height are the most common cause of fatal injuries in the workplace. Latest HSE data shows that 35 workers died due to this kind of accident, a markedly higher proportion compared with other industries.
