Fine Construction UK, based in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The court fined the company ВЈ15,000 and ordered them to pay costs of ВЈ8,091.99.
The incident took place on 22 February 2008, at a site in Popes Lane, London W5, in which a builder fell 3.3m through a roof light void while working on an extension to a domestic property.
There was no boarding to cover the roof lights and no crash deck underneath to limit the impact of a fall. The employee suffered serious back injuries as a result of the fall and no longer has use of his legs.
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Following the prosecution the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging employers to ensure proper safety procedures are in place when working at height.
HSE Inspector Kevin Shorten, said: "Forward planning, vigilance and a willingness to spend time and money on suitable safeguards could prevent incidents like this one and avoid the personal and financial trauma associated with them."
