A Bodmin dairy farm has been fined over £60,000 after one of its workers sustained injuries when he fell more than 20ft through a roof of a shed onto a concrete floor.
In 2021, 18-year-old Mike Rossiter was airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth after the shed roof he was clearing gutters from on the dairy farm gave way.
Although the employees of C.P. Button Limited clearing the gutters on the grain and silage pit shed roofs were using crawling boards, Rossiter had stood on a fragile rooflight, which failed under his weight, causing him to fall.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company failed to control the risk of falls and “failed to adequately assess the risks and did not have a safe system of work”.
C.P. Button Limited, of St. Tudy, Bodmin, Cornwall, pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 after failing to ensure so far as reasonably practicable the health and safety and welfare at work of all its employees against the risk of falling when carrying out the planned maintenance task of clearing gutters.
The company was fined £63,466 and ordered to pay £4,223.50 in costs at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on April 20, 2023.
Commenting, HM inspector of health and safety, James Hole, said: “This was a wholly avoidable incident which resulted in life changing injuries.
“Roughly half the deaths and serious injuries caused by falls in agriculture involve work on fragile roofs.
“Any work on roofs should be adequately planned and suitable protection should be provided which will normally include a combination of coverings, guard rails, safety nets and safety harnesses.”
‘Permanent damage’
Now 20 years old, Rossiter said he has been left with “permanent damage” in his arm and no longer has full movement.
“I’m unable to lift and carry heavy things,” he said.
As well as rupturing his spleen and liver in the incident, Rossiter also suffered from several fractured vertebrae. An additional fracture to his left elbow required surgery and a permanent plate in his arm.
Rossiter said, despite being back in work and fully supported by his current employer, he fears for his long-term future in the agriculture industry.
“I don’t know how much longer I will be able to keep working in the farming industry as a result of my injuries,” he said.
“I am hoping this will not be the case as I enjoy what I am doing and would not like to leave the profession.”
