A number of measures could have prevented the serious injury of
a roofing contractor, who broke his back while working on an
extension in south-west London, the Old Bailey heard.
The contractor was removing tarpaulin from the extension at a
flat in Collamore Avenue when he fell through the skylight.
James Thompson, who traded as James Thompson Carpentry and
Building, was supervising the work. The Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) Mr Thompson could have ensured a number of measures were in
place to prevent the incident.
The tarpaulin had been laid to provide the ground floor of the
flat with weather protection. The worker was removing this when the
tarpaulin snagged. The man stepped on some insulating board that
had been laid across the skylight, which gave way under his weight.
He fell over 3m to the concrete floor below.
James Thompson, of Onslow Gardens, Wallington, Surrey, pleaded
guilty to breaching Regulation 6 (3) of the Work at Height
Regulations 2005. He was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of
£7,000.
The injured worker suffered a broken back as a result of the
fall and can now only walk short distances and needs to use a
walking stick.
His condition will not improve, and the former judo fighter and
rugby player will not be able to return to work in the construction
industry again.