Persistent failure to put edge protection in place when working at height has landed one West Midlands building firm in court with a four-figure fine.
The firm – which works in the West Midlands but is actually registered to an address in Newcastle-upon-Tyne – was first served with a prohibition notice on June 13th after an employee was seen working on a house roof with no edge protection in place and only a poorly constructed scaffold tower for access.
On June 18th, another worker was seen working without edge protection, or any other measures to prevent falls from height, this time on a sloping garage roof.
No actual incidents or injuries occurred in either case, but the HSE decided the risks were too great, and that it was irresponsible to repeat the failings so close together and while subject to the first prohibition notice.
HSE inspector Gareth Langston said: “Work at height continues to be a key area for HSE, mainly because unsafe practices while carrying out this type of work continue to cause death and major injury.”