A ROOFER from Harmans Water who worked eight metres up a building with no scaffold has been fined nearly £4,000 for endangering people passing by. 

No one was injured while Terry Colwell, trading as T Colwell Roofing, undertook roof repairs at Sabine Gates in Old Bracknell Lane in August 2014 but the potential for falling objects meant he was in breach of health and safety guidelines.

Colwell, of Hardwell Way, chose to carry out the work without a scaffold, with no fall protection and nothing to protect members of the public from falling objects.

The Health and Safety Executive investigated him after a tip off about his work and he was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,966 by Reading Magistrates Court after admitting to a single breach of health and safety legislation. 

After the hearing HSE Inspector John Caboche said: “This was a serious incident that could have ended in tragedy for Mr Colwell or a member of the public had he fallen or had a loose roof tile been dislodged during the repairs.

“The incident was wholly preventable and could have been avoided had Mr Colwell used a scaffold and not undercut the other roofing company and if the operation been better planned and managed.

“It is essential that roof work is carefully assessed by competent persons, with a plan in place to prevent falls of persons and objects. Roof work remains one of the most dangerous activities in the construction sphere.

“Terry Colwell was fully aware of the dangers of roof work and HSE publishes extensive guidance that is readily-available of how to safely manage this type of work.”

Colwell took on the work for Grosvenor Court (Bracknell) Management Company Limited for £650, undercutting other companies by around £1,000 who would have had to spend between £1,400 and £1,500 on scaffolding.