Colne roofer fined after ignoring health and safety warning

Ross Singleton, who trades as Ross’s Roofing, was photographed by an inspector from the Health and Safety Executive as he and the two other workers carried out repairs to the roof of a hairdressers’ in Skipton Road, Colne.

Burnley Magistrates’ Court heard the inspector immediately issued a Prohibition Notice ordering them to come down from the roof but, despite initially stopping work, they later returned to the roof without any safety measures in place.

The court was told Singleton had also put members of the public at risk as he was working above a busy row of shops, and falling debris could have hit someone.

Singleton admitted breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 after he failed to take action to prevent workers being hurt in a fall, and ignored a Prohibition Notice.

Singleton (23), of Dickson Street, Colne, was fined £350 and ordered to pay £300 in prosecution costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Jacqueline Western said: “Ross Singleton and the two other men were working nearly three metres above the ground – a height that could have resulted in a serious injury if any of them had fallen.

“He should have treated the Prohibition Notice as a formal warning and stopped work until safety measures, such as guard rails, were in place. Instead he ignored the notice and has found himself in court as a result.

“Dozens of people die every year as a result of a fall while at work. Roofers should treat the risks seriously and take action to make sure workers stay safe.”