Risk news

Proper safety equipment must be used to protect against the dangers of working at height.

This is according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which issued the warning after a Merseyside builder was fined for working on a St Helens pub roof without the use of any such measures.

Charles Molloy from Molloy Building Contractors, of Marshalls Cross, St Helens, pleaded guilty at St Helens Magistrates' Court to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 by failing to take steps to prevent workers falling.

The 64-year-old was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs for the offence.

Sandra Tomlinson, an HSE inspector, said Mr Molloy has shown "little concern" for either his own safety, or that of his employees.

She highlighted the seriousness of the offence by saying: "Falls from height kill dozens of workers every year and seriously injure hundreds more."

More than 4,000 workers suffered a major injury as a result of falling from height in 2008-09.

If you need to gain an understanding of the hazards associated with the construction industry and how they can be controlled, consider our NEBOSH Certificate in Construction Safety and Health.