A SAWMILL firm has been fined £10,000 after a worker was seriously injured when he fell eight feet through a roof light.
Tony Heron was working for Penkiln Sawmill Company and was putting tin sheets on the roof of a shed at its Wigtown premises, carrying them along the structure before fixing them into place, when he was involved in the accident.
Mr Heron, who was 56 at the time and had worked for the company for 28 years, suffered multiple fractures to his vertebrae and ribs and a cut to his head which needed 14 stitches. He now suffers impaired mobility in his spine and has been unable to return to his job.
The Health and Safety Executive found Penkiln had failed to carry out a risk assessment or come up with a safe system of work for Mr Heron. At Stranraer Sheriff Court, the firm pled guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.
HSE Inspector Lesley Hammond said: "This was an entirely avoidable incident. Falling from height is one of the most common reasons for injuries and even fatalities at work, and it is fortunate that Mr Heron survived such a fall, albeit with significant injuries. Penkiln Sawmill Company should have been aware of the risks and the precautions that needed to be taken, before starting the work."
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