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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning companies to ensure that workers are protected from falling from heights.

The warning follows the successful prosecution of a contractor, following an accident in February 2007 when a subcontractor fell more than three metres while working on an airbridge at Heathrow Terminal 4.

The self-employed flooring subcontractor named as Mr Sterry was employed by ROK Building Ltd to renovate the floor of the airbridge. Immediately before the accident, the floor covering of the airbridge had been removed and the subfloor beneath was found to be rotten.

An employee of ROK Building Ltd lifted the plywood panels, so that the only remaining floor was a thin – and poorly supported – metal sheet. When Mr Sterry stood on this he fell straight onto the concrete surface of the apron and as a result sustained severe leg injuries.

The HSE investigation into the accident found that in their earlier assessments, ROK had identified that work at height might be an important factor, but failed to implement the control measures that they identified.

On 14 May, 2009 at the City of London Magistrates' Court, ROK Building Ltd of Exeter pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 4 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

On Monday, 21 September 2009 at the Old Bailey, the company was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £ 17,397.14.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Steve Kirton said:

'Any work at height or work near fragile surfaces needs to be properly planned and assessed.  Any identified control measures need to be fully implemented.'

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