Ad
Thursday, September 4, 2025
15.9 C
London

The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008  |  U.K. Edition

Scaffolder falls five meters through skylight

- Advertisement -

A scaffolder sustained life-changing injuries after falling through a 5-meter high skylight fracturing his pelvis, elbow, wrist, and arm.

Poole Magistrates court heard how scaffolder Paul Norris (49) was completing work for the company Solar Scaffolding Services Limited who were contracted to erect an access tower and guard rails around the roof of some industrial units on 10th April 2017.

While assisting colleagues with the guard rails, Norris gained access via the roof then fell through a skylight 5 meters to the ground.

He was hospitalised for three weeks and had to undergo many surgeries and ongoing physiotherapy as a direct result of the accident.

When investigated by the HSE Solar Scaffold Services were found to have failed to take appropriate measures to prevent a fall through the fragile roof and that as an employer their duty to ensure that the work at height was adequately planned, supervised and carried out safely had failed.

A guilty plea was heard in court form the company after they were found to have breached the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Solar Scaffolding Services Limited was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £3,666.80 in costs.

The courts also heard how Norris is now registered disabled and his wife has had to give up work to provide care for her husband. He has also had to move out of his home and move into an adapted flat and can no longer return to work.

HSE Inspector Caroline Penwill commented on the hearing, “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities and injuries in this country and the risks of working with heights are well known.

Mr. Norris’s injuries were life changing for both him and his family. He could have easily been killed. This serious incident could have been avoided if the work had been properly planned to reduce the risk”.

- Advertisement -

Popular Categories

Most Read >

Game changing UK-First in Scaffolding Innovation under the Forth Road Bridge 

Layher pioneers its advanced cantilever technique with Hardrock Scaffolding...

SMART Scaffolder to unveil new mobile app at ScaffEx25

SMART Scaffolder will launch its latest mobile app, SMART...

Shaun Ryder tipped as VIP guest at ScaffEx25 awards

Musician Shaun Ryder is rumoured to be among the...

Scaffolding design platform ScaffPlan to feature at Trimble event

ScaffPlan, the scaffolding design and management platform, is set...

Leach’s secures exclusive deal to supply Staht Digital Pull Testers to Scaffolders

Leach’s has signed an exclusive agreement to supply Staht’s...
- Advertisements -

Related Articles >

Scaffolders Could Down Tools in Heatwave Under New HSE Proposals

Scaffolders could be given the right to stop work during extreme heat under plans being developed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The proposals, aimed at protecting manual workers from heat stress, would...

Latest Topics

Major shake-up in scaffolding training governance announced

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has unveiled...

Layher UK set to unveil show-stopping ScaffEx25 stand in exclusive preview 

Scaffmag has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Layher...

UK cement production falls to lowest level since 1950

UK cement production has slumped to its lowest level...

Leaked Drone Footage Shows Giant ScaffEx Screen Over Manchester

Leaked drone footage has revealed a giant video screen...
- Advertisement -