On 21 July 2016, a roof was being installed on the fast-food chain's new restaurant in Coulby Newham, North Yorkshire.
While moving materials, the worker stepped backwards on to a fragile mesh roof that was not loadbearing and fell about 3 m, sustaining multiple fractures of his lower left back. HSE investigators found that, in failing to prevent access to the fragile roof area, the roofing contractor, Metcalfe Roofing & Building Services, had failed to plan and carry out the work at height in a safe manner.
The investigation also found the principal contractor, PDR Construction, had failed to plan, manage or monitor an aspect of the construction phase without risk to safety.
PDR pleaded guilty to breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £225,000 with £8,000 costs. Metcalfe admitted breaching reg 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £2,000.
After the hearing, HSE inspector John Heslop said: "This incident highlights the importance of a thorough risk assessment, appropriate planning and adhering to a safe system of work that is regularly monitored and managed by those in control of that work."
