Workplace health and safety regulations say that employers must ensure that their workers are not exposed to falls from fragile roofs or dangerous traffic routes. This means that a worker should never end up falling through a fragile roof, which can be anything from an area with skylights; false ceilings; damaged or worn areas; etc.
So if you have fallen through a fragile roof during work your employer may be in breach of the law which means you may be eligible to claim for work injury compensation.
The Work at Height Regulations put numerous duties on employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent workers from falling through fragile roofs. This includes organisation and planning; staff competence; provision and use of work equipment; training; risk assessments; and specifically Regulation 9 which covers fragile surfaces.
Regulation 9 says:
(1) Every employer shall ensure that no person at work passes across or near, or works on, from or near, a fragile surface where it is reasonably practicable to carry out work safely and under appropriate ergonomic conditions without his doing so.
I mean, that’s pretty clear, right? And if it wasn’t then we have Regulation 2 which goes in to greater detail:
(2) Where it is not reasonably practicable to carry out work safely and under appropriate ergonomic conditions without passing across or near, or working on, from or near, a fragile surface, every employer shall—(a)ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that suitable and sufficient platforms, coverings, guard rails or similar means of support or protection are provided and used so that any foreseeable loading is supported by such supports or borne by such protection;(b)where a risk of a person at work falling remains despite the measures taken under the preceding provisions of this regulation, take suitable and sufficient measures to minimise the distances and consequences of his fall.
Regulation 3 goes in to ensuring there is adequate warning signs and/or notification, or any other suitable means of warning or instruction. So really we have some very stringent and very clear rules that apply to fragile roofs which mean that employees ought to be fully protected from injury.
That means if you have been injured by falling through a fragile roof then you many have a claim for personal injury compensation. For help and advice call 0800 634 7575.
We can help you make things right if you've had an accident and been injured. If you've a legitimate compensation claim then The Injury Lawyers can offer you No Win, No Fee representation to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.