Property firm fined £4,000 after employee falls through roof light in Midlothian and suffers multiple broken bones

A property firm has been fined £4,000 after an employee fell through a roof light and fell to the ground, leaving him with multiple broken bones.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard how two employees of property partnership Alex Brewster and Sons were removing roofing panels from a derelict shed in Midlothian when one of the workers stepped onto a roof light which gave way.

The man needed surgery after suffering serious injuries as a result of the fall including fractures to his pelvis, ribs and elbow.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Kirknewton based Alex Brewster and Sons, which own and let domestic properties, failed to ensure that work at height was properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a manner which was, as far as reasonably practicable, safe.

HSE said there were insufficient measures in place to prevent the risk of a fall from height.

Alex Brewster and Sons, of Bonnington Store, Wilkieston, Kirknewton pleaded guilty to breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005, Regulation 4 and Section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. They were fined £4,000.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Gillian Anderson, said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.

“If a suitable safe system of work had been in place prior to the incident, the severe injuries sustained by this employee could have been prevented.”

The case was heard at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The HSE is the UK’s national regulator for workplace health and safety.

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