Roofer dies after fall from ladder

A roofing contractor has been fined after an employee fell from a ladder and died at the scene.

Whilst carrying roof tiles an employee slipped from a triple extending access ladder and fell to the ground, sustaining fatal injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the interlocking sections of the ladder they had been negotiating did not allow for three points of contact to be maintained, especially when a load was being carried: a single pole access ladder would have enabled this.

At Blackpool Magistrates’ Court Richard Anthony Thornton pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of The Work at Height Regulations 2005. He was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay costs of £3,600.

HSE Inspector Christine McGlynn said: “Each year falls from ladders kill a number of workers. This tragic incident could have been avoided.

For more information on this story and others visit the HSE website.