Watch: CCTV captures moment worker is seriously injured after falling through 'invisible' skylight
This shocking footage shows the moment a worker fell through an ‘invisible’ skylight at a factory in Yorkshire - leaving him seriously injured after landing on a pallet truck.
James Cranswick was installing temporary scaffolding edge protection for Clover Access Systems Limited at a warehouse at Acre Mills in Keighley when he fell more than six metres onto the pallet truck.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the 26-year-old was left with a broken arm, leg and head injuries after he fell onto the concrete floor while carrying out the work.
He was carrying materials from one end of the roof to the other when he stepped on the ‘invisible’ skylight - sending him crashing to the floor.
Two construction companies have now been fined almost £80,000 by a court following an investigation by the HSE.
The probe found both Clover Access Systems Limited and STM360 Limited failed to plan, manage and monitor the work being undertaken by the scaffolders at the unit.
It meant no meaures were in place to prevent the scaffolders from falling from the edge of the unit, or through the fragile elements of the roof such as the skylight.
A release from the HSE said: “The skylights of the unit were almost invisible to Mr Cranswick and he was unaware of any fragile elements of the roof.”
HSE Inspector Shauna Halstead, added: “Mr Cranswick is lucky to be alive after this incident.
“His fall was wholly avoidable; the risks associated with work on, or around fragile surfaces are well-known, and HSE guidance is available to assist companies in complying with the law.
“Everyone working in construction should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take enforcement action where roof work is not properly managed, as workers should not be needlessly put in harm’s way.”
Clover Access Systems Limited pleaded guilty to breaching The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, Regulation 15. The firm was fined £26,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,866.42 and a victim surcharge £2,000 at Leeds Magistrates Court on June 4. The company is now in liquidation.
STM360 Limited pleaded guilty to breaching The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, Regulation 13. The company was fined £53,300 and ordered to pay £3,167.73 in costs and a victim surcharge of £2,000.