Cooper and Westgate’s bathroom was being converted into a wet room when, according to the Health and Safety Executive ( HSE), it accidentally slammed into the floor after removing flooring to access equipment.
Allison, 81, died after falling through the needle into his house on 8 February 2019, where he was discovered by his son-in-law a day later.
Cooper and Westgate “failed to effectively secure the opening because its employees were not adequately trained,” according to the HSE speech, and neither did a suitable and sufficient threat assessment, nor a method statement for the work involved.
Cooper and Westgate were found guilty of violating the laws governing Health and Safety at Work, etc., Sections 2 and 3. Act 1974 at Leeds Magistrates Court on Tuesday ( 17 September ). The firm was fined £150, 000 and ordered to pay £50, 000 in prices.
Employers must fully assess and manage the risks from operate at height caused by creating holes in local properties, according to HSE health and safety investigator Yolande Burns-Sleightholme, who also acknowledge the importance of properly securing them.
They may then use appropriate training and assistance to impart this knowledge to their employees.
” This tragedy could have been avoided if Cooper and Westgate had properly assessed the risks, instituted safe working techniques, and given its employees the proper education,” said one employee.
In the HSE speech, Armitage’s child Suzy said:” Our father, who was unfortunately taken away from us, was everything to us. We are all also trying to accept losing him.
