The owner of a solar panel business has been fined for safety failings after two workers fell 15ft through a fragile roof.

Brynley and Anthony Perrett were installing solar panels at Llan-y-nant Farm in Chepstow on behalf of Andrew Green, trading as Green Park Power, when the incident occurred in June 2013. Brynley, 37, suffered a compression fracture of his back and sternum, while his brother Anthony was fortunate to escape injury.

An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that there was no equipment in place to prevent or mitigate a fall. This week (15 September), Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court heard that Mr Green failed to make an adequate assessment of the risks of working on a fragile roof, and did not take sufficient action to reduce those risks.

Mr Green pleaded guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was fined £4,500 and ordered to pay costs of £1,500.

“Both brothers were fortunate not to have suffered far more serious injury in this easily avoidable incident,” said HSE inspector Steve Richardson after the hearing. “Had nets or other safety measures been installed, then the fall risk would have been significantly minimised and the likelihood of injury reduced.

“Working on a roof can be dangerous, with falls accounting for more deaths in the construction industry than any other type of incident. The risks are well known, and guidance is freely available outlining how to work safely at height.

“The onus was on Mr Green to ensure the safety of those in his employment, but he failed to do so. Those in charge of the work must be properly qualified and competent to ensure that the work is carried out safely.”