24/07/2009 - Death fall prompts safety reminder
The death of a worker who fell through the roof of a DIY superstore has led the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to remind small companies of their responsibilities.
David Battisson was working for Birkenhead's CRN Contracts Ltd when he fell through a PVC light on the roof of The Range store in Wigan. After the 10-metre fall, the 49-year-old was taken to the town's Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, where he died from his injuries.
CRN Contracts Ltd was prosecuted by the HSE for not following proper safety procedures. The company was fined £25,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,086 after pleading guilty to two charges under health and safety legislation at Manchester Crown Court.
The court heard Mr Battisson and a colleague were on The Range's corrugated roof painting bolts when the incident happened in May 2005. Warren Pennington, HSE Inspector, said CRN Contracts Ltd had not provided "adequate supervision" of the work.
He added: "It should have used boards to cover the fragile roof lights, and protected the area around the perimeter of the roof. The company also failed to cordon off the floor under the section of roof it was working on to protect the public from the work."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
Related links
|
