Compensation for fall through skylight at work 

Two companies have been fined after an employee sustained serious injuries after falling through a fragile skylight.

Andrew Cotton, an employee at Hough Engineering Ltd, fell 6.2m through the skylight while he was undertaking roof repairs at Josiah Wedgewood and Sons Ltd Warehouse in Newcastle under Lyme.

Both companies admitted they breached the Health and Safety Act and over £100,000 was awarded to the builder.

Mr Cotton undertook the work without taking any precautionary measures such as safety nets.

Prosecuting Inspector, David Brassington said that it is usually poor management control that causes accidents, rather than equipment failure.

He believes that if the precautionary measures had been put in places then the fall could have been prevented.

Hough Engineering Ltd was fined £20,000 with costs of £10,000. Josiah Wedgewood and Sons Ltd was fined £60,000 with costs of £17,837.

Falls from heights are the most common cause of fatal injury. Last year more than 5,500 people were seriously injured as a result of falling from a height.