Roofing Contractor Sentenced After Fatal Worker Fall

A NORTH WEST roofing contractor was sentenced after an employee suffered a fatal fall from a ladder and died at the scene.

The contractor, Richard Thornton, trading as Vanguard Roofing, had been appointed to carry out roof repairs on a domestic property in May 2021.

An employee of the company climbed a triple extending access ladder to reach scaffolding constructed to eaves level, whilst carrying a pile of slate on their shoulder. They slipped and fell to the ground, sustaining fatal injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the interlocking sections of the ladder did not allow for the advised three points of contact to be maintained, especially when a load was being carried. A single pole access ladder would have enabled this, HSE said.

The investigation also found that the employee had also been wearing loose fitting footwear, which had not allowed for a firm foothold on the ladder.

In addition, there was no safe means of transporting materials to the roof, such as a gin wheel and bucket, which would have avoided the need for carrying loads via the ladder.

The investigation also found that Richard Thornton did not have any legally required Employer’s Liability Insurance in place to protect workers.

Fatal Worker Fall

Richard Anthony Thornton of Upper Brook Court, Greenbrook Road, Burnley pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of The Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Section 1(1) of the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. Blackpool Magistrates’ Court sentenced him to six months in prison, suspended for two years, and he was ordered to pay costs of £3,600.

HSE Inspector Christine McGlynn said: “Each year falls from ladders kill a number of workers. This tragic incident could have been avoided by the selection of equipment which would have meant that three points of contact could be maintained.

“Inexpensive equipment, such as a gin wheel and bucket, could and should have been made available to avoid the need to carry materials up a ladder. Every employer needs to ensure that they have Employers Liability (Compulsory) Insurance in place to insure against liability for injury or disease to their employees arising out of their employment. Where employers are found to be in breach of this requirement, they will be held to account by HSE.”

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