Solar PV company fined for health and safety failure

A solar PV company has been fined £120,000 after an employee broke his leg while working on a property in Salisbury.

The man, who was 23 at the time, fell from the roof of the house on 16 December 2022. He had been adjusting a solar panel when he slid and fell four metres onto the ground below, sustaining a broken femur as a result.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the organisation, which offers solar power solutions, 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 homeowner to move nine solar panels higher up on the roof. The company was fined £120,000 and ordered to pay £4,716 in costs at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 23 December 2024.

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.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Karen Park and supported by HSE paralegal officer Rebecca Withell.

ECA offers support to Members who may carry out work at height. Resources to help manage safe work at height are on their website here.

Members are also able to take advantage of discount with Nationwide Platforms for hire of work at height equipment and training.

HSE guidance can be found at: Work at height – HSE

This article appears on the ECA news and blog site as 'Solar PV company fined for health and safety failure' date January 6 and originally appeared via HSE press release with images as 'Company fined as worker breaks leg from fall' dated 30 Dec, 2024.

--ECA

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