Roofing firm fined for safety failures

A roofing company has been found guilty of breaching working at height safety regulations, after an off duty HSE inspector noticed work being done without adequate protective equipment.

Last September, workers of GS Roofing Specialists LLP in the West Midlands were found completing work at an industrial estate.

The Health and Safety Executive inspector saw two employees working on what was considered a fragile roof section, without any personal protective equipment (PPE) or other safety measures.

A further investigation discovered that not only was there a lack of PPE used or fall prevention measures taken, but that the firm had also failed to implement its own risk assessment.

According to GS Roofing's method statement, boarding, guard rails, netting and platforms were to be used. None of this equipment, however, was found to be in use.

The firm received a fine of £7,500, with costs of over £1,000. The inspector on the case, Gareth Langston, explained:

“The dangers that the workers faced were so great and immediately obvious when I witnessed the safety breaches being committed.

“GS Roofing Specialists LLP blatantly ignored the risk assessment’s advice for fall protection to be in place, leaving workers exposed to an unnecessary risk of a serious or even fatal injury.”

Langston went on to add that working in an elevated position is risky, as it accounted for nearly 6,500 injuries or fatalities in the UK last year. The correct implementation of safety plans, constant monitoring, and wearing the right gear ensures fall prevention.