Firm fined after employee breaks leg in roof fall

A company has been fined £120,000 after an employee broke his leg while working on the roof of a property.

The man was adjusting solar panels on a house on Sherfield English Road in Salisbury, Wiltshire, when he fell 13.1ft (four metres) onto the ground, breaking his femur.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that EE Renewables Limited had failed to properly plan the work and take suitable steps to prevent the incident, which happened on 16 December 2022.

The solar energy company, based in Fareham, Hampshire, admitted the error and was ordered to pay the fine at Swindon Magistrates' Court on 23 December.

It was also told to pay £4,716 in costs.

The owner of the property had requested the work to move nine solar panels higher up the roof.

HSE inspector Sam Applebee said: "EE Renewables Limited did not properly plan this work so it could be carried out in a safe manner.

"There were inadequate means of protecting the workers from falling off the roof, with the company failing to provide edge protection.

"Working at height remains one of the biggest causes of injuries and fatalities in Britain so it is important that companies ensure they implement the correct control measures and safe working practices."

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