Two men have avoided jail after a worker died from their injuries after falling through fragile roof panels while carrying out installation work.
The worker was carrying out over-cladding work, which involved the installation of new roofing material over an existing fragile asbestos cement roof, at an industrial building on West Chirton (South) Industrial Estate, North Shields, on November 16, 2015.
The worker, who fell over five metres through fragile roof panels, sustained serious injuries which subsequently proved fatal. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) later found that the method of work was unsafe. It determined that there were inadequate precautions to prevent or mitigate against falls from or through the roof as well as an effective assessment of risk, selection and use of appropriate work equipment, safe system of work and effective supervision.
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This week, Ian Blacklin, 60, and Dennis Spence appeared at Newcastle Crown Court after they pleaded guilty to contravening health and safety regulations. The court heard that there was a significant failure to plan and manage the work that was being carried out. The HSE has not released the name of the worker who died.
Blacklin of Wellington Square, Capheaton, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(2) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999; Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and Regulation 8(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regs 2015. He was sentenced to 16 months prison, suspended for 18 months.
Spence of Henshaw Place, Denton, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999; Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Regulation 6(1) of the work at Height Regulations 2005. He was sentenced to 14 months prison, suspended for 18 months and must pay £1,800 costs.
Following the hearing, HSE inspector Andrea Robbins, said: “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.”
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