Westwise Demolition fined for roof dismantling without scaffolding

Ivan Pope, trading under the name of Westwise Demolition, has been prosecuted by the HSE and fined £6,000 for exposing employees to unnecessary risk to their safety.

The incident occurred between the 16th and 25th January, 2008. Mr Pope's son and another employee were tasked with dismantling the roof of the Manvers Arms public house in Lincoln.

Rather than setting up scaffolding for the job, the two just used the bucket of an excavator to lift themselves on to the roof. One then sat on the roof passing tiles to the other who stood in the bucket. Once the bucket was full it was lowered to the ground, emptied, and the process repeated.

HSE Inspector Martin Giles said:

This was foolhardy to say the least and could so easily have resulted in serious injury or even death. It is particularly disturbing that Mr Pope was willing to risk the life of his own son by failing to put such basic safety requirements in place.

Working at height remains one of the greatest dangers to construction workers. Many incidents can be avoided if contractors identify a safe way of tackling a job, provide all necessary protective equipment and ensure that workers, sub-contractors or casual employees are fully trained and properly supervised.

Mr Pope pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching Section 3 (2) of the Health and Safety Work etc Act 1974. As well as the £6,000 fine Mr Pope also has to pay £13,483 in costs.

Source: HSE and Demolition News