Roofer fined for failings that led to catastrophic fall

Adam Menzies was found guilty on two charges on indictment contrary to The Work at Height Regulations 2005 on 9 September following a two-and-a-half day trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court.

The court heard that at the time of the incident on 24 July 2012 Brian Honeyman was assisting Mr Menzies in replacing the tiles and roof sheeting on a property in Stenhousemuir.

An access tower scaffold had been erected to enable them to get on to the roof but the rest of the perimeter of the property was not provided with any means to prevent a fall.

Mr Honeyman was laying sheeting on the outside of the roof when his foot slipped as he climbed out of a space between the trusses.

And he slid down the roof on his stomach and fell, head first, six metres onto a concrete path.

The fall was witnessed by Mr Honeyman’s son who had come to visit him at the property.

The court was told that Mr Menzies had failed in his responsibilities and that there was no proper planning and supervision of the work and that he had made no suitable provision for sufficient scaffolding, guard-rails or other appropriate barriers to prevent the fall.

Gary Aitken, head of health and safety division said: “This was an accident that resulted in catastrophic and life changing injuries that could have been avoided if the appropriate protective measures had been in place at the time.

“This incident could well have proved fatal and it has irrevocably changed Mr Honeyman’s life.

“Falls from height are usually the greatest single cause of death and serious injury to workers within the construction industry.

“Hopefully this prosecution and the sentence will remind other employers that failure to fulfil their obligations can have tragic consequences and that they will be held to account for their failings.”

Scottish Legal News reported this week a huge rise in the number of health and safety court cases in Scotland, with one litigation lawyer warning it could be a sign of things to come.

The Health and Safety Statistics annual report revealed that, in 2014-15, COPFS prosecuted 72 cases in Scottish courts, a 49 per cent rise on the previous year and secured a 97 per cent successful conviction rate.