Blackpool Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 17th November 2020, Ruttle Plant (Birmingham) Ltd was in the process of building a new aggregate recycling facility at its site at Common Bank Lane, Chorley.
Part of the work included recladding the roof, which was carried out using a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP). However, employees had to climb out of the basket and onto the roof to complete the work. There was no edge protection, leaving them at risk of a nine-metre fall.
In addition, workers had not been provided with the minimum required welfare facilities. There were no facilities for hand washing despite it being the height of the Covid pandemic.
An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that the workers had been left unsupervised by site management, there had been no method statement to follow when they climbed onto the roof, and there were no preventative measures in place to prevent the risk of a fall from height. Workers were also expected to drive to the company’s head office along an unadopted roadway more than five minutes’ drive away to use washroom facilities.
Ruttle Plant Hire (Birmingham) Ltd of Lancaster House, Chorley pleaded guilty to breaches of Regulation 13(4)(c) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, and Regulation 4(1) of The Work at Height Regulations 2005. It was fined £66,667 and ordered to pay costs of £1,847.
HSE inspector Christine McGlynn said after the hearing: “Had a worker fallen off the roof edge, it could have been fatal. Employers should ensure that workers are not left to carry out high risk roof work without supervision. Work at height and roof work should only be carried out by trained workers, who are being robustly monitored, following proper planning, risk assessment and using suitable equipment. The minimum standards for welfare must also be met.”
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