Roofer fined £3,000 after putting himself and employee at risk of personal injury

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June 30th, 2015

An Oxfordshire roofer has been fined £3,000 for safety failings after he put himself and another worker at risk of a four-metre fall while carrying out pointing and tiling on a roof in Woodstock.

Oxford Magistrates’ Court was told that Rory Wootton, who was trading as Advanced Roof Tec, was working with his colleague and partner on the job in Manor Way on 17th March, 2014.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Mr Wootton after a complaint from a member of the public prompted an inspection of the work.
HSE found there were no safety measures installed at the property to prevent either worker from falling from the sloping and moss-covered roof.
In addition, passers-by to the front of the house were left in danger of being hit by any falling building materials.
Although no-one was injured HSE told the court the absence of suitable protection exposed the men to a possible four-metre fall, which could have resulted in death or serious injury.

Rory Wootton, of Barnard Gate, Witney, Oxfordshire, was fined £3,000 with £1,236 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

After the hearing HSE Inspector Peter Snelgrove said that despite the obvious risk of a serious fall, the approach taken to safety by Rory Wootton was unacceptable.
“The firm the two men operated was on its first of only two jobs it carried out as Mr Wootton decided to end his rather short time in the roofing industry,” he said.
“Working on a roof can be dangerous. Falls account for more deaths and serious injuries in construction than anything else and roofers account for nearly a quarter of those people killed.

“Roofers must ensure they properly plan work at height,select the right access equipment, and take appropriate steps to minimise the risks to keep themselves and members of the public safe.“

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