Horticultural firm fined after roof fall

By Mike Stones

- Last updated on GMT

Falls are a major cause of work-place injuries
Falls are a major cause of work-place injuries

Related tags Occupational safety and health

An Evesham horticultural firm has been fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £6,835 costs after a worker suffered serious head injuries and fractured his hand when he fell through a glasshouse roof.

Westland Nurseries (Offenham) was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident at the firm's premises on December 4 2009.

Worcester Magistrates' Court heard how the 21-year-old man, who asked not to be named, was cleaning a valley gutter between two roofs on a glasshouse when he fell about three metres through the glass, landing on a concrete floor.

Blood on the brain

The worker suffered concussion with blood on the brain, fractured his hand and sustained other cuts and bruises. He could not work for three months after the accident.

A HSE's investigation found that Westland Nurseries had taken no measures to prevent workers falling from the glasshouse roofs. And it did not understand the risks involved when working at height.

Also, the injured man had been inadequately trained by an employee who was not trained in working at height himself.

Westland Nurseries (Offenham), of Ferry Lane, Offenham, Evesham, pleaded guilty today to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Chris Gregory said: “Every year, people are seriously injured as a result of falling through glasshouse roofs onto wires, hooks, staging or the ground, and from being cut by glass.

Proper planning

“However, the vast majority of these incidents can be avoided with proper planning. Companies must make sure they understand the risks involved in working at height and take suitable measures to prevent workers from falling, such as installing lightweight balancing frames.”

Gregory added: “It is unacceptable that Westland Nurseries (Offenham) Ltd failed to do this and a man was seriously injured as a result.​”

Related topics Fresh produce

Related news

Show more

Follow us

Featured Jobs

View more

Webinars

PRODUCTS & SERVICES