Two men have received sentences after a worker has sustained fatal injuries after falling over five metres through fragile roof panels
Newcastle Crown Court heard how that on 16 November 2015, the worker was carrying out over-cladding work, involving the installation of new roofing material over an existing fragile asbestos cement roof which led to him sustaining fatal injuries at an industrial building on West Chirton Industrial Estate, North Shields, Tyne and Wear.
Inadequate fall prevention precautions were the cause of the accident
The HSE investigation found that methods of work used onsite were unsafe, and inadequate precautions to prevent fall risk were used, as well as the use of appropriate work equipment, safe system of work, and effective supervision.
Ian Blacklin pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and Regulation 8 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
Blacklin was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, and suspended for 18 months.
Dennis Spence also pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and Regulation 6 of the work at Height Regulations 2005.
Spence was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment, and was suspended for 18 months with £1,800 costs.
‘Significant failure to plan and manage the over-cladding of roofs’
After the hearing, HSE inspector Andrea Robbins, commented: “In this case there was a significant failure to plan and manage the over-cladding of roofs over fragile roofing material.
“Roof work should only be undertaken by people who have the necessary skills knowledge and experience, assessing the associated risks, selecting and using appropriate equipment to prevent/mitigate falls and ensure effective supervision is in place.”
