Company Fined Over Safety Failings

A workplace injury specialist at Irwin Mitchell has called on construction firms to not underestimate the risks of falls from height, after a firm was fined after staff were caught working unsafely on a roof.

Brigg and Humberside Roofing Services of North Lincolnshire was ordered to pay £5,000 and costs over the incident, when inspectors investigating an unrelated case saw two roofers working without the necessary safeguards or protective equipment on a building in Immingham.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, nothing was put in place to protect the workers while they undertook the project at height on a potentially fragile roof.

David Urpeth, the national head of workplace injuries at Irwin Mitchell who is based at the firm’s Sheffield office, said that while no one was hurt, such safety failings needed action.

He explained: “Falls from height are among the biggest risks that many workers in the construction industry in the UK face and are also a common cause of many work accident cases that we deal with.

“It is unacceptable for employers to allow their staff to work unguarded from the potential risks of falls and cases like this only serve to highlight a worrying disregard for the health and safety of workers.

“Companies need to recognise the inherent dangers of work in the construction industry before it is too late. While the two workers in this case were unhurt, lessons need to be learnt in order to ensure these kinds of failings are not seen again and that no one else faces such risks.”

Our accident at work solicitors could help you claim compensation if you’ve fallen from height at work. Visit our falls from height claims page for more information.