Company and director found guilty of manslaughter

The HSE is urging companies to carry out full risk assessments following the prosecution of a company, IC Roofing Ltd, and its owner and director, Colin Cooper, at Hove Crown Court.

Mr Cooper pleaded guilty to breaches of health and safety law. He pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges, but a jury found him guilty of the manslaughter of Darren Hoofe. He will be sentenced on Tuesday 27 January.

On 29 November 2005, 20-year-old Darren Hoofe was employed by IC Roofing Ltd to carry out work at the Bellbrook Industrial Estate, Uckfield. Mr Hoofe fell through a skylight onto the factory floor whilst carrying out roofing repairs. He was not wearing a safety harness and had not received full safety training. He died in hospital the following day from his injuries.

Sussex Police and the HSE launched an investigation into the circumstances of Mr Hoofe’s death. The owner and director of IC Roofing, Colin Cooper, was charged with his manslaughter and offences under the Heath and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Amanda Huff, HSE Inspector, said:

“The tragedy of Darren Hoofe’s death is that it could so easily have been avoided. Colin Cooper showed reckless disregard for the safety of his employees even though the risks and necessary precautions were well known to him.

“If fatal accidents are to be prevented then work must be adequately planned and appropriate measures taken before work starts. If there is to be any positive outcome from this tragic death then it has to be that other roofing contractors appreciate that compliance with health and safety requirements is important and that failure to do so can have serious consequences.”