Shropshire Firm Penalised £15,000 After Worker Suffers Serious Injuries in Barn Roof Fall

A Shropshire-based construction company has been fined £15,000 following a serious incident where a roofer fell from a barn roof, sustaining fractures to his skull and ribs. The incident occurred on September 2, 2023, during the installation of roof sheets onto a barn under construction in Oswestry. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the matter, leading to the prosecution of the firm and its director.

Key Takeaways

Dewi Williams Limited fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs.
Company director Dewi Williams received a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.
The incident highlights failures in planning and implementing safety measures for work at height.

The Incident

The roofer was working on a barn construction site in Oswestry when the accident happened. He was standing on a newly installed roof sheet, attempting to position the next one, when he lost his footing and fell to the ground. The fall resulted in severe injuries, including fractures to his ribs and skull.

HSE Investigation and Findings

An investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed significant shortcomings in the company’s safety practices. The HSE found that Dewi Williams Limited had failed to adequately plan the work at height and had not put in place appropriate measures to prevent falls or protect workers. Crucially, company director Dewi Williams was found to be directly involved in the work and permitted it to be carried out in an unsafe manner.

Legal Consequences

Dewi Williams Limited, located in Crickheathe, Oswestry, pleaded guilty to breaches of Regulations 4(1) and 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs.

Company director Dewi Williams also pleaded guilty to the same breaches, under Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He received a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.

HSE Warning on Work at Height

Sara Andrews, an HSE inspector, commented on the case, emphasising the critical importance of thorough risk assessments for all work at height activities. She stated that suitable control measures must be implemented to minimise the risk of falls and injuries. Ms. Andrews concluded that had the work been properly planned and appropriate equipment provided, the incident could have been avoided.