Suspended Sentence for Unsafe Roof Work and Lack of Insurance

Brief Summary

An employer instructed an employee to carry out skylight replacement work on a fragile roof without fall prevention or protection measures, and the employer did not have employers liability compulsory insurance at the time. The employee fell through a roof light and suffered serious injuries requiring multiple operations. The employer pleaded guilty to breaching work at height requirements and failing to hold required insurance, resulting in a suspended prison sentence and unpaid work.

What Was The Incident?

On 17 June 2024, an employer hired an employee to replace skylights on a farm outbuilding. The employer instructed the employee to walk across the roof surface, but no control measures such as crawling boards or netting were in place to prevent or protect against a fall. While carrying out the work, the employee fell through a fragile roof light to the floor below and was taken to hospital by air ambulance.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 260 hours of unpaid work. The employer was also ordered to pay costs of 700. The employer pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and earlier also pleaded guilty to not having employers liability compulsory insurance at the time of the incident.

Key Points To Consider

Control measures must be in place for work on fragile roofs. If roof work requires someone to access or walk on roof surfaces, plan and implement appropriate measures to prevent a fall or protect against the consequences.

Do not rely on unsafe instructions to manage risk. Directing workers to traverse fragile surfaces without suitable protection shows a breakdown in safe system of work and risk management.

Skylight replacement planning should address fall risk specifically. Work involving roof lights needs clear precautions for accessing, working, and moving without exposing people to uncontrolled fall hazards.

Employers liability compulsory insurance is a legal requirement. Failing to have the required insurance at the time of an incident adds serious consequences and can undermine the ability to meet civil claims.

Serious falls highlight the importance of competent height risk management. Where no prevention or protection measures are used, the likelihood of catastrophic injury rises significantly, so ensure work at height is managed properly before work starts.

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