Firms fined over skylight fall
28/04/2010
Two companies have been fined after a technician suffered a fractured vertebra falling through an unmarked fragile skylight at a water pumping station in Cambridge.
Matthew Morgan, 28, from Pudsey in Leeds, fell through the unsafe roof light while taking a reading from a rain gauge while carrying out work on August 6, 2007.
Mr Morgan has been left with ongoing back pain after fracturing a vertebra during the incident in Willingham, near Cambridge.
Mr Morgan's employer, IETG Ltd, of Hapco House, Cross Green Way, Cross Green Industrial Estate, Leeds, admitted breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Ely Magistrates' Court, after failing to ensure the health and safety of Mr Morgan and those working near unmarked roof lights at the station.
IETG were subcontracted by Anglian Water Services Ltd, of Anglian House, Ambury Road, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, which admitted breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
IETG was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £3,219 in costs while Anglian was fined £4,000 plus £3,261 in costs after admitting to health and safety failings in relation to the incident.
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