Pizza company fined for rooftop fall
A pizza company has been fined £50,000 after a man fell through the roof, sustaining serious injuries.
Ahmad Reza Malekpour, 57, was repairing the skylight when the plastic gave way and he fell nearly 12 feet to the floor below, sustaining serious spinal injuries. The company provided Mr Malekpour with no safety equipment and had no safe access to the roof.
On Monday 7 November 2016 at Snaresbrook Crown Court, two companies Pizza GoGo Ltd, of Fairview Industrial Park, Marsh Way, Rainham, Essex, and Pinnacle Consultant (London) Ltd, their maintenance company, pleaded guilty to breaches of Health and Safety legislation.
The Court heard that the companies had no suitable risk assessments and no safe working systems in place. They failed to coordinate and cooperate regarding Health and Safety.
In addition to the £50,000 fine for Pizza GoGo, Pinnacle were fined £33,300 and full costs were awarded against both companies.
The companies were prosecuted under Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Working at Height Regulations 2005 and Management of the Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, by Havering Council.
Mr Malekpour is expected to take out a civil case for compensation.
Councillor Osman Dervish, Havering Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said:
“This was an entirely avoidable accident which resulted in an employee sustaining a very serious injury. Employers have a duty to keep their employees safe while performing their duties, and the Council will take action whenever necessary.”