Company Fined After Roofer Fell Through Unguarded Loft Hatch

Brief Summary

An employer carrying out re roofing work on a domestic property failed to identify and protect a loft hatch used during the work, leading to a fall of around 11 feet. The regulator found failures in risk planning and preventing falls, and also noted shortcomings in supervision competence. The employer pleaded guilty to breaching work at height requirements and was fined.

What Was The Incident?

During re roofing work at a house in Wimbledon, a roofer was stripping out internal insulation within the roof space. He stepped onto a loft hatch that had not been identified or protected and was left unguarded. He fell approximately 11 feet to the floor below and landed on his back, fracturing his L1 vertebra and his hip.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. It was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £5,607 in costs. The injured worker was unable to return to work, and employment was later terminated.

Key Points To Consider

Identify and control fragile or unsafe openings before work starts. Plan the work at height so that openings such as loft hatches are identified in advance and are protected or otherwise made safe before anyone can step on them.

Plan work at height to prevent falls wherever possible. The employer’s planning failed to put adequate measures in place to prevent falls, showing the need for a clear process to assess risks and implement suitable controls.

Provide competent supervision for construction related roof work. The work was not overseen by people with the necessary training or experience to manage construction related activities safely, so supervision should match the risks involved.

Use suitable access and safe systems of work for roof tasks. Roof work planning should include suitable access equipment and arrangements that support safe movement and work, rather than relying on unsafe surfaces or ad hoc setup.

Treat fall prevention as a core part of organising the job. Where falls from height can occur, the job should be organised around effective risk assessment, clear responsibilities, and verified controls to reduce the chance of fatal or serious injury.

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