Safety Signs News

Employee fall illustrates importance of warning signs

22nd December 2009 | Warning Signs

A West Midlands man has been fined following an incident in which a worker fell through an unguarded roof, illustrating the need for warning signs.

Ian Brian Griffiths, of Theodore Close in Oldbury, pleaded guilty to breaching Work at Height Regulations 2005 and section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Birmingham magistrates court as a result of the October 2008 accident.

It occurred when a 35-year-old employee lost his footing on a crawling board on a roof which did not have a safety system of work in place, including warning signs.

Mr Griffiths was fined £3,500 and ordered to pay £1,408 in costs, which highlight the need to implement safety measures, said Health and Safety Executive inspector Mike Ford.

"Working at height remains a major cause of death and injury at work in Great Britain. Employers must ensure the correct precautions are taken and the right equipment is used," he commented.

The incident follows the recent prosecution of Cumbrian Industrials, of The Ridge, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol, which was fined £65,000 at Preston Crown Court for failing to properly use construction signs. ADNFCR-2754-ID-19525060-ADNFCR