Firm fined £8k over roofer's fall
17/08/2010
A firm has been fined £8,000 over a construction worker's roof fall which left him blind in one eye.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said Gwyndaf Davies, then 21, suffered a brain injury as well as multiple face and spinal fractures after he fell 3m onto concrete while re-roofing a farm building.
He spent nine months in hospital and needed reconstructive face and eye surgery. He lost the sight of one eye and was left partially sighted in the other after the fall at Penwerddu Farm in Boncath last year.
Delme L James Ltd, of Pencaer Bryn Ewan, Cynwyl Elfed, Carmarthenshire, admitted breaching safety regulations regarding working at height at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court.
Mr Davies, from Carmarthen, west Wales, has limited speech, cannot walk without aid and receives intensive physiotherapy and speech therapy.
He is likely to require significant care for the rest of his life, the executive said.
He had worked for the company since leaving school.
An investigation by the HSE found the company did not plan, supervise or carry out the work safely.
There was only limited protection to prevent workers falling from the roof and no measures to prevent them falling into the building.
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