Risk, Health and Safety Information

Firm prosecuted after worker falls through fragile roof light

A Tottenham Hale futon manufacturer has been prosecuted after a worker fell through a fragile roof light during poorly-managed maintenance work.

The Futon Limited employee, who does not wish to be identified, fractured his spinal column and suffered a collapsed lung as a result of the fall at the company’s Cannon Factory, on Ashley Road, on 9 October 2009.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard today (14 March) that the employee accessed the factory roof to clear leaves from a roof valley using a man-riding cage mounted on a forklift truck.

He had only moved a couple of feet from the edge of the roof when he stepped onto a plastic roof light that gave way. He fell approximately 6.5metres to the warehouse floor after hitting fluorescent roof lighting on the way down.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that Futon Limited had an approved contractor to carry out work at height of this nature, but the company neglected to use them on this occasion.

Using a non-integrated working platform attached to a forklift was a significant failing according to evidence presented by HSE, because it is a platform to work from rather than a platform for accessing other places at height.

Futon Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in relation to the incident. The company was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £14,635 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Jack Wilby said:

"This man was extremely fortunate not to have been killed or more seriously injured as a result of his fall.

"It was poorly-managed activity that could and should have been left to the professionals, as Futon Limited was only too aware, and as such the incident was entirely preventable.

"I hope today’s hearing serves as a further reminder of the risks posed by working at height, especially when working on or near fragile roofs with sky lights.