Risks to employees working at height have been highlighted by a successful Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution of TRN Electrical and Cladcoat Ltd, after a worker fell to his death.

TRN Electrical was fined £30,000 and had to pay £14,850 costs; while Cladcoat UK Ltd was fined £10,000. A Cladcoat director was also prosecuted and given a conditional discharge.

The worker who died had been contracted by Cladcoat to replace damaged roof lights. At the hearing, the HSE explained that the risk assessment and the method statement, detailing how the work should be undertaken, didn't plan the job safely enough.

The method statement left the contractor working on the fragile roof without sufficient safety steps being put in place, such as a safety harness to reduce his fall, or a platform which would have reduced the height of his fall.

An HSE inspector said: "This was a wholly preventable incident in which a man in his prime - a father-of-two - lost his life. This incident was not the result of the actions of an individual; rather it is the result of collective failures.

"Had a suitable risk assessment been undertaken, for risks that were known to all parties, and a safe system of work established, this tragic incident would not have happened. The two companies involved, whilst being aware of the risks, did not fully understand their duties and responsibilities under the law."

Access Legal from Shoosmiths personal injury specialist Veronica Male said: "This tragic loss of life emphasises how important it is for contractors and site operators to work together to ensure that the risks involved in a job are properly understood and that the work is planned in a way that minimises and reduces the risk of injury."

For more personal injury advice, please visit our accidents at work and personal injury solicitors pages.

Tell us what you think

All documents should be read and used in accordance with the terms and conditions. This document is for your general information only and is not a detailed statement of the law. It is provided to you free of charge and should not be used as a substitute for specific legal advice. If you require specific legal advice please contact our helpline on 03700 86 86 86.