WAH Safety Regs Reminders

It is another harsh reminder that we need, particularly now the light is failing us during the working day.

The 27-year old Yorkshire labourer fell almost seven metres from a barn roof during installation of 56 solar panels, it was heard. Following rain, he slipped over the edge of the sheet metal roof as there were no safety measures in place to hinder a fall.

Andy Denison, HSE inspector said, “This worker’s fall and his subsequent painful injuries could easily have been prevented had basic safety precautions been put in place. Each party failed in its responsibilities to protect the workers from danger by assessing risks and providing a safe system of work. Mr King had obviously not planned the job thoroughly – he had only looked at a photo of the building and not even visited the site. Investment Renewables also failed to make sure the work was safely planned and did not supervise it. Despite clear guidance from HSE and the solar panel industry, companies continue to work on roofs without suitable precautions, posing an entirely unacceptable risk of serious injury, or even death, to employees.”

As roofing contractors, it is of paramount importance that safety guidelines are adhered to in order to avoid causing serious injury to ourselves or our sub-contractors. All too often, these stories are heard within our roofing industry and it is a harsh reminder of the dangers we face, and take for granted, every day.

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