Suspended Sentences Following Fatal Fragile Roof Fall

TWO MEN have received suspended sentences and been fined after a worker fell five metres through fragile roof panels, suffering injuries that proved fatal.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how that On 16 November 2015, the worker was carrying out over-cladding work on an industrial building on West Chirton (South) Industrial Estate, North Shields, Tyne and Wear. The work was to install new roofing material over an existing fragile asbestos cement roof.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the method of work was unsafe and there were inadequate precautions to prevent or mitigate against falls from or through the roof.

The project also lacked an effective assessment of risk, selection and use of appropriate work equipment, safe system of work and effective supervision.

Suspended Sentences

Ian Blacklin of Capheaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

He pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(2) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Regulation 8(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Dennis Spence of Denton, Newcastle upon Tyne, was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months with £1,800 costs.

He pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Regulation 6(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Failure to Plan and Manage

After the hearing, HSE inspector Andrea Robbins, said: “In this case there was a significant failure to plan and manage the over-cladding of roofs over fragile roofing material.

“Roof work should only be undertaken by people who have the necessary skills knowledge and experience, assessing the associated risks, selecting and using appropriate equipment to prevent/mitigate falls and ensure effective supervision is in place.”

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