Company fined £120k after worker breaks leg falling from Wiltshire roof

The worker fell from a height of four metres from the roof in Salisbury, suffering a broken femur as a result. Credit: HSE

A solar energy company has been fined £120,000 after one of its employees fell from a roof while working on a property in Salisbury.

The EE Renewables Limited worker was adjusting a solar panel when he slid and fell four metres onto the ground below, breaking his femure.

An investigation by the national regulator for workplace safety - the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - found that the company had not properly planned the work at height and failed to take suitable steps to prevent a fall.

The company had been hired by the property owner to move nine solar panels higher up the roof. Credit: Health and Safety Executive

EE Renewables Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

HSE inspector Sam Applebee said: "EE Renewables Limited did not properly plan this work so it could be carried out in a safe manner. There were inadequate means of protecting the workers from falling off the roof, with the company failing to provide edge protection.

"Working at height remains one of the biggest causes of injuries and fatalities in Britain, so it is important that companies ensure they implement the correct control measures and safe working practices."

HSE guidance on working at height can be found here.