Builder tries to cover up roof fall

Lloyd Home Improvements Ltd, now in liquidation, had been contracted to replace the roof of a factory in Willow Road, Lenton, Nottingham. for solar panels to be installed.

Nottingham magistrates were today (11 February) told that the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) received two complaints about the work from concerned members of the public.

When an inspector visited the factory on 28 February 2012 unsafe work was observed near numerous unprotected fragile rooflights. There was poorly-erected and incomplete edge protection and workers were not using safe work platforms or harnesses to prevent falls.

Two prohibition notices were served by HSE, halting work immediately.

Several weeks later the inspector uncovered evidence that a worker had fallen through one of the skylights on the morning of her visit. The court heard that Russell Lloyd, owner of the business, denied it had happened and failed to provide any information about the injured person or any workers who may have witnessed the incident.

The owner of the business, Russell Lloyd, aged 36, of Albert Avenue, Stapleford, pleaded guilty to breaching the Work at Height Regulations and Section 20 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for failing to provide information relevant to an investigation.

Nottingham Magistrates' Court fined him £2,400 and ordered him to pay costs of £1,585. He was also disqualified as a director for two years.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Frances Bailey said:  "Russell Lloyd showed a flagrant disregard of the perils of working at height. The poor system of work, the lack of equipment provided and the inadequate risk assessment meant that the work was extremely dangerous. The workers involved were young, inexperienced and untrained in roof work or working with asbestos.

"On average seven people each year are killed after falling through a fragile roof or fragile roof light. Many others suffer permanent disabling injury. However, falls can be easily prevented by careful planning, using trained and experienced workers with suitable equipment and employing a high level of supervision."

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