A construction company based in South East London has been in court after one of its employees fell four metres through a skylight.
45-year-old Paul Shaw was working at a property in Kent when he plunged through the badly-protected roof opening, suffering multiple injuries including a broken arm.
An investigation launched by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that building firm Bryen & Langley Ltd failed to ensure that the correct safeguards were in place to protect employees working from height.
Maidstone Magistrates court heard how the skylight openings above a swimming pool were covered only with a thick plastic when Mr Shaw went up to carry out work on the roof of the pool. He believed the skylight opening was safe to walk on and stepped onto it before plunging through and landing on the swimming pool’s concrete walkway.
Mr Shaw returned to work after five months but still has restricted movement in his wrist as a result of the incident.
Bryen & Langley, of Eltham, London, was fined £12,000 after admitting to breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005.