Worker in care unit for life after fall from roof

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A man was sentenced for safety failings that led to a father-of-three falling from the roof of a house, resulting in horrific head and spinal injuries.

Brian Honeyman fell six metres while helping to re-roof a house in Stenhousemuir and, as a result of his injuries, will likely reside in a care facility for the rest of his life.

Mr Honeyman, now 50, had been brought in by Adam Menzies, a self-employed roofer from Falkirk to help with the job in South View in July 2012.

After an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Crown Office for the Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) charged Menzies with health and safety offences.

It said Menzies failed to ensure the work was properly planned, appropriately supervised or carried out in a manner which was, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe. He also failed to arrange provision of scaffolding or other means to prevent a fall.

Menzies, 43, of Falkirk Road, Larbert, Falkirk, pleaded not guilty to these charges. He was found guilty after a trial and sentenced today at Falkirk Sheriff Court. He was fined £8,000.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE principal inspector Isabelle Martin said: “Adam Menzies failed to provide a suitable scaffold that would have protected against this fall from height.

“This disregard for basic safety precautions has resulted in Brian Honeyman suffering horrific injuries from which he will never recover. Sadly, HSE inspectors find this kind of poor practice is all-too-common on domestic refurbishment projects. Working at height remains one of the biggest causes of workplace deaths and serious injuries. There must always be fall protection when carrying out roof work, no matter how big or small the job that’s being done.”