Firm fined after worker's roof fall

AN agricultural building company has been fined £22,500 and ordered to pay £7,103 costs after being found guilty of three breaches of health and safety legislation following an incident in which a workman fell off a roof.

By The Newsroom

Published 20th Apr 2010, 12:57 BST

Updated 20th Apr 2010, 12:58 BST

TMN Fabrications, of Holme on Spalding Moor, East Yorkshire, had failed to supply adequate edge protection, nets or suitable work platforms for its employees during a job fitting fibre-cement roof sheeting at a farm near York.

Dean Lightowler, 28, from Goole, suffered back injuries when he fell from the roof of the building at Park Farm, Everingham, on January 28 last year. He has been unable to work since.

A month after the incident employees were again required to work on the roof without adequate safeguards.

The company, which is now in liquidation, also failed to report Mr Lightowler's fall until March 17, more than two months after it occurred.

The firm was found guilty in its absence at Beverley Magistrates' Court yesterday.

After the hearing, Health and Safety Executive inspector Geoff Clark said: "I hope today's prosecution reminds companies that inadequate protection when working at height is unacceptable."