Case Studies
Roof Anchor Accident
Provision of anchor points over a roof
Cadogans provided an opinion on Health and Safety matters arising out of an accident at an industrial building. The main issue was whether or not there were anchor points on the roof to which the Pursuers could have attached safety harnesses, at the time of carrying out their work.
The Defenders had moved to the premises in the 1970s. At that time there was no legislation requiring roof anchor points to be installed.
The roof was made up of steel trusses, profiled metal roofing sheets and rows of glass panels. The roof also consisted of a vertical glazed area and a sloping section of skylights. The workers were working on the roof in order to replace some of the glass panels of the skylights.
Whilst replacing these panels a supporting beam gave way causing an employee to fall through the roof. He sustained serious injury.
Cadogans considered the appropriate safety regulations and guidelines, including training requirements. The training information available for the employees was inspected. It became apparent that the pursuer had not received appropriate training, as he was ill at the time.
After a site visit it was established that no roof anchor points were fitted to the roof of the building nor were there any appropriate protrusions or fixings to which a harnesses could have been attached. Building Regulations were referred to. The HSE also advised that there was no legal requirement to fit anchor points to roofs.
