Roofing company fined $53k after employee injury

AMY MAAS

An Auckland roofing company has been ordered to make payments totalling $53,000 after an employee was seriously injured after falling three metres from a roof.

In the Auckland District Court today, Metalcraft Industries was fined $43,000 and ordered to pay $10,000 to the victim who fractured his lower back, several ribs and damaged his shoulder tendons and ligaments in the accident on June 9, 2011.

Three employees were working on a single storey Keith Hay home in Glen Innes when one of the men slipped while trying to reach down and secure a safe hold on the edge of the damp roof.

A Department of Labour investigation found the accident was preventable, had Metalcraft Industries Ltd planned a safe approach to working at height and put in place appropriate roof edge protection.

"The precautions taken by the employer fell short of what is required," said John Howard, the department's northern general manager.

The department provides guidelines on how to manage working at height to prevent harm.

- Fairfax NZ News

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Roofing company fined $53k after employee injury