In March, it was reported that a labourer was killed, after plummeting over 20ft off a deteriorating roofing system.
42-year-old Maciej Rozanski was at the area of Surface Technik (Old Hill) Limited, to take away an unnecessary piece of equipment.
He was seriously harmed from the drop, and sadly didn’t make it.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) discovered that such labour towards the end of 2017. The labour was directed by one of the firm’s superiors, Robert Hammond.
The appliance was based in the hub of the construction, and needed to be taken away immediately.
In the build up to Mr Rozanski’s fatality, himself, and an additional labourer were responsible for taking the appliance way.
While the labourers were attempting to dismantle the appliance with a power tool, Mr Rozanski descended from the roof.
The HSE discovered that the presence of an appropriate hazard analysis was scarce. The labour to take the appliance away was conducted above ground, alongside the deteriorating roofing system ‘Without suitable access equipment or safe working practices.’
The HSE deemed the labour as ‘Not properly organised, planned, appropriately supervised, or carried out in a safe manner,’ and that the personnel weren’t ‘Trained for working at height,’
The government body also revealed that it provided in depth information, when operating above ground and around deteriorating terrain.
Surface Technik (Old Hill) Limited accepted accountability for going against Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The firm also received a penalty of £90,000, and to settle £28,956 in expenses.
Initially, Hammond accepted accountability but argued he was in charge of well-being on the premises.
He revealed he didn’t carefully consider the well-being of his workforce, when holding himself accountable for going against Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
He was received a penalty of £8,500 and had to settle this in expenses too.
According to BirminghamLive, the HSE stated the following: “This case highlights the risks of working at height from or near fragile roof surfaces and the importance of a risk assessment, proper planning, training and supervision of work at height and the use of suitable access equipment to ensure that the work can be carried out safely.”
If you are a member of the Confederation of Roofing Contractors (CORC) and would like some more information on how to stay safe when at work, feel free to visit our company website on https://www.corc.co.uk/code-of-conduct/
