Firm fined for safety breaches

Date published: 21 January 2014


WORKMEN operate unprotected on the roof of a bungalow. Darren Potts is on the right.
AN Oldham roofing firm and company director have appeared in court after being filmed by the BBC’s “Watchdog” series.

Renov8 (North West) Ltd and Darren Potts were prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive after footage showed workers on house roofs using a pressure washer without precautions to stop them falling.

Trafford Magistrates were told “Watchdog” had hired Renov8 to clean the roofs of two bungalows after receiving several complaints about poor workmanship. The work was filmed with hidden cameras at houses in Droylsden and Salford in May 2013, and broadcast the following month.

The footage showed an employee walking on a sloping roof and using a pressure washer to remove moss. Company director Potts watched from the ground. Both men were also shown walking on the roof of the second property, again with no scaffolding or other measures to prevent a fall.

The HSE investigation also found Renov8 didn’t have legally-obliged employers’ liability insurance.

Renov8 (North West) and Potts (39) each admitted two breaches of the Work at Height Regulations.

Renov8, based in Failsworth, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £1,255 costs. Potts, of the same address, was ordered to undertake 200 hours of community service and to pay £1,255 in costs.