It's Not Enough to Tell Roofers Not to Stand on Skylights

Employers are reminded even when they subcontract work out they are still responsible for providing a safe workplace according to the New Zealand’s Department of Labour. The warning follows the sentencing of Roofing Specialists Auckland Limited and Marua Development Limited in the Auckland District Court.

The two companies each faced one charge under Section 18 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 following an accident where a subcontractor was seriously injured after falling through a skylight in the roof of the building he was working on in May 2009.

Marua Developments Ltd. engaged Roofing Specialists Auckland Ltd. to repair the building’s gutters. Roofing Specialists Auckland Ltd. then engaged a subcontractor to complete the work. While that contractor was working on the roof of the building, he stepped on an unprotected skylight and fell 4.5m (14.9 ft.) to a concrete floor below.

A fine of $14,100.00 and reparation totaling $5,000.00 was imposed on Roofing Specialists Auckland Ltd; and a fine of $11,750.00 and reparation totaling $2,500.00 was imposed on Marua Development Ltd.

The Department of Labour Northern Regional Manager, John Howard says falls from heights are a leading cause of death and serious injury in the construction sector. This accident could have been prevented; falls through brittle roofing are a well-known hazard and can be identified and isolated.

“It is not enough to simply instruct workers not to stand on skylights. Any brittle roofing material needs to be physically isolated,” Howard said. (workersxzcompxzkit)

“The subcontractor was lucky enough to walk away from this accident with his life, when it easily could have been so much different,” Howard added. “Employers and people in charge of workplaces need to take all practicable steps to keep the contractors they engage safe.”

Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. Contact: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.

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