Worker Fractures Skull in Fall From Height

A Sheffield based signage company has been prosecuted following an incident in which a worker fell five meters from a flat roof.

In 2015, Warburton Signs Limited were contracted to put up a large sign outside an industrial building. In order to erect the sign, three workers accessed a neighbouring roof, however whist doing so, one worker fell. As a result, the worker suffered numerous life threatening injuries, including a collapsed lung, several broken ribs, chipped vertebra and a fractured skull.

Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident on April 13th, it was revealed that the company had failed to put measures in place to ensure that falls from height were avoided.

After pleading guilty to Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 Warburton Signs Limited, of Trident House, High Street, Beighton, Sheffield, was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs totalling £1538.

Helen Barley, HSE inspector, said after the hearing:

“Failure to prevent falls when working at height can lead to serious injury or death.”

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Source: Health & Safety Executive