A Blackpool based roofing company and its former director have been fined after an employee fell through a roof following a chimney collapse in high winds.
On 10 February 2020, Jamie Tyrer an employee of Wyles Roofing Ltd was working at a house on Birley Street, Blackpool, re-roofing part of a premises. Whilst stripping the roof, the outrigger’s chimney, which had a visible lean from the outset, collapsed on to the roof where Mr Tyrer was working causing him to fall through the roof timbers, loft space, and ceiling, before landing on the ground of the first floor.
As a result of the incident Jamie sustained a traumatic injury to his right eye and ongoing issues with both of his knees.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the structural stability of the leaning chimney had not been investigated and the risk assessment undertaken was not sufficient and had not been shared with employees.
Additionally, on the day that work took place, Storm Ciara, characterised as the ‘most significant storm to hit England and Wales since February 2014’ by the MET Office, caused disruption in the region.
Wyles Roofing Ltd of Northgate, Blackpool pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 19(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £32,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,276.
Former director, Martin Wyles of Devonshire road, Blackpool pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, by virtue of 37(1) of the Act. and was fined £933 and ordered to pay costs of £2,475.
HSE inspector Andy McGrory said after the hearing: “Previously sound structures can become unstable because of a lack of planning of construction work, particularly in high winds. The work should have been stopped during a major storm.
“Those responsible have a responsibility to properly plan work, carry out any necessary survey or inspection, undertake a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and ensure safe methods of working.”
Notes to Editors:
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. www.hse.gov.uk
- More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: Health and safety in roof work (hse.gov.uk)
- HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk