Watchdog intervenes to prevent accident at work

Published: 23/01/2014

The BBC’s Watchdog programme may have helped prevent an accident at work after it exposed an Oldham-based roofing firm.

Footage from the show revealed workers using a pressure washer whilst on rooftops with no safety measures in place to prevent them from slipping and falling.

Acting on a number of complaints about the firm, Watchdog hired the company to carry out roof cleaning on two bungalows. The work was then film using hidden cameras and broadcast in June 2013 and clearly depicted serious health and safety breaches.

The footage prompted an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who also discovered the company did not have any employers’ liability insurance, a legal requirement for all businesses.

Matt Greenly is the HSE Inspector:

“Renov8 should never have allowed work to be carried out on the roofs of the two bungalows without having suitable safety measures in place.

“Company director Darren Potts risked not only his own life but the life of an employee by clambering around slippery roofs. Renov8 could easily have hired scaffolding for the work but failed to do this, despite using scaffolding on similar projects in the past.

“The company also ignored the law relating to employers’ liability insurance, meaning the employee wouldn’t have been able to claim a penny of compensation if he had been injured.”

After pleading guilty, Renov8 (North West) Ltd was fined £1000 and ordered to pay £1255 in prosecution costs while Darren Potts was ordered to undertake 200 hours of community service and also has to pay £1255 in costs.

If you have suffered an accident at work our team of personal injury solicitors could help you make a claim for compensation. If you are returning to work after an accident, our free guide has some useful information as well as hints and tips.

Content correct at time of publication