A solar panel installation firm has been prosecuted after a worker fell through a void in a roof while carrying out work in Bristol.

Solarjen Limited of Victoria Grove, Bedminster, Bristol, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. It has been fined £250,000 with over £12,073 in costs.

Bristol Magistrates Court heard how the 49-year-old victim was one of several contracted workers by Solarjen Limited, known as Paul O'Brien Solar Installations (SW) Limited at the time, to undertake roof works at Fairlawn School, Montpelier in June 2015.


However, during the work the employee fell more than 3.5 metres through a void in a roof. He suffered serious injuries, including bleeding on the brain, a fractured spleen and fractured ribs.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the company failed to ensure physical guarding was in place to prevent the worker and his colleagues from falling through voids in the roof. In addition, the company was found to have failed to appropriately supervise the work.

HSE inspector Mehtaab Hamid said: "The company failed to properly organise the work and make sure the workers knew what safety measures were needed, as well providing appropriate supervision to ensure work was not undertaken without the measures being put in place.

"As a result, serious harm was caused to one worker and others were put at serious risk."

(LM)