Three construction companies fined £526,499 after worker is injured in fall

On 17 December 2015, an employee of Wessex Insulation Limited, Weymouth, fractured his back in six places after he fell four metres through a fragile roof whilst installing insulation in ventilation ductwork at a leisure centre.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that three companies had failed to sufficiently plan and manage the risk of falling through roof lights. Dantherm Limited; Wessex Building Services Limited, and Wessex Insulation Limited were all prosecuted.

The case was heard at Portsmouth Crown Court on 30 April 2018 where all parties pleaded guilty and were each ordered to pay costs of £6,646.16.

Dantherm Limited was fined £30,666 for breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015.

Wessex Building Services Limited was found to have breached Regulation 4(1)(a) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and received a fined of £425,000.

Wessex Insulation Limited was fined £70,833 for breaching Regulation 9(2) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

If you should have any questions about your legal obligations in relation to Health and Safety in the workplace and need a specialist health and safety solicitor, call James Lowe, our Regulatory and Licensing Partner on 07833 240 400 for advice and assistance