Worker left blind in one eye after fall from roof

A WORKER was left blind in one eye after falling from a warehouse roof in Bilston.

Jon Charles, a contractor who worked for Kingswinford Engineering Company, was repairing pipework at James Durrans & Sons when he slipped, fell and banged his head.

As a result of the fall on April

12, 2016, he was left with permanent sight loss in one eye and blurred vision in the other.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found multiple failings in relation to how the work – specifically access to the roof – was planned, managed and monitored.

The investigation found neither company had undertaken a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, nor had they agreed a safe system of work for the repair of the pipework which required access to the roof.

Kingswinford Engineering Company, of Shaw Road, Dudley, admitted it failed to ensure the safety of Mr Charles – and his colleague Craig Rowley – during a hearing at Dudley Magistrates Court. The firm was fined £18,000 and ordered to pay costs of

£9,000.

James Durrans & Sons Limited of Anchor Road, Bilston, admitted putting the pair at risk during the pipe work and was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £20,000.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Edward Fryer said:

“This incident highlights the need for contractors to be managed properly.

“Both the contractors and those engaging them must assess the risks of the site and the specific work to ensure it can be done safely.

“In this case, no risk assessment was carried out and arrangements made to access the roof put workers at significant risk of falling from height, leading to this worker suffering a life-changing injury.”