Companies fined following farm worker's death

Two companies have been heavily fined after following the death of a worker who fell through a fragile roof.

Alan Ellison, from Swindon, fell through the roof on a farm in West Wales in June 2004. He was helping to install a new grain drying system when he fell eight metres onto a concrete floor.

The owner of the farm, Raymond Bros, was found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, in relation to risks to safety of their employees, and was fined £10,000 and order to pay costs of £15,000.

Ellison’s employer, Enidvale Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 3(1) and 7(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs in excess of £8,000.

HSE Inspector Wayne Williams says:

"Working at height is extremely dangerous, as this case has so tragically demonstrated, and it is imperative that employers carry out proper risk assessments, and ensure their staff are adequately trained to work at height.

"Unfortunately, this remains something that too many employers fail to take into consideration, and I hope the fines in this case will serve as a warning to employers to put into place proper systems and safeguards to prevent death or injury to their workers."