Safran Seats GB has been fined £660,000 after one of its employees fell through a roof at a site in South Wales after suitable equipment was not used for working at height.
The manufacturer was carrying out work to vacate its premises in Llantarnam Industrial Park in Cwmbran when the incident happened on 19 May 2020.
Kevin Lewis, 62 at the time, had been dismantling and removing a spraying booth when he fell more than 7ft through its roof.
Kevin was knocked unconscious as he hit the concrete floor and suffered a bleed on the brain.
He also suffered multiple broken bones, including eight to his ribs, his collar bone, as well as a fractured skull.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found inadequate planning of the work at height meant suitable equipment wasn’t used and insufficient instructions and training had been given to those carrying out the work.
Safran Seats GB pleaded guilty at Cwmbran Magistrates Court on 14 June 2023 to breaching section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and fined £660,000. They must also pay costs of £13,472.
HSE Inspector Seren Linton said: “Those in control of any work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working.
“They should also provide the necessary information, instruction, and training to their workers on the safe system of working.
“If these basic practices had been followed, this incident would have been entirely preventable.”
