The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has fined a Gateshead building company, after an employee fell to his death while dismantling a hangar roof at Bristol International Airport.

In December 2006, 30-year-old Steven Watson from Tyne and Wear fell through the roof while dismantling the disused Brymon hangar.

He was working for Rubb Buildings Ltd at the time of the accident. Mr Watson fell approximately 30 feet onto the concrete floor below, and died at the scene from multiple internal injuries.

Just before the accident, he had cut through the PVC tarpaulin roof and as he went to climb back in to the mobile work platform. Mr Watson fell through the section he had cut away, HSE investigators found.

Inspectors also found that there were no other protective measures in place – and Rubb Buildings Ltd should have ensured that Mr Watson had no need to climb directly onto the roof.

On Tuesday (13/04/10) at Bristol Crown Court, Rubb Buildings Limited of Dukesway, Tyne Valley Trading Estate in Gateshead pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay £48,795.36 costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Steve Frain said that Rubb Buildings Ltd had failed in its duty to ensure there was a ‘properly planned and supervised means of working’. Mr Frain also said there should have been no need to work directly on the roof.

‘Falls from height can be extremely serious risks and adequate safety measures must be in place to protect all workers in order to prevent tragic incidents such as this,’ said Mr Frain.

‘Steven Watson should have been properly protected by Rubb Buildings Ltd – instead he lost his life,’ he added.

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