Roofers in court after woman hurt

Two roofers from the West Midlands have been given suspended sentences after an office worker was injured when a roll of roofing felt fell on her.

Kathleen Philipson was sitting at her desk in offices when a metre- long, 37 kg roll crashed through a roof light and hit her on the shoulder. She had to take two weeks off work.

Roofers Jason Lunt and Gregory Wright, both of Bloxwich, pleaded guilty to a breach of the health and safety at work act when they appeared at Derby Magistrates Court.

Mrs Philipson suffered injuries to her head, arm and shoulder in the incident, on September 22.

A probe by the Health and Safety Executive found contractor Lunt had allowed re-felting work to start on the roof in Ripley, Derbyshire, before adequate protection had been installed.

It meant that as Wright, a self-employed roofer contracted by Lunt, moved one roll of felt that were stood up on the roof, another toppled over and fell through an unguarded roof light.

Lee Greatorex, HSE inspector, said: "Mrs Philipson was extremely lucky not to have suffered more severe injuries. This was a frightening experience for her but it could have been easily prevented had greater care been taken.

"Mr Lunt should have ensured an adequate system of work was in place and that roof lights were adequately protected before repair work began. As a roofer Mr

Wright should have been aware the roof lights needed to be protected unless he had evidence they were capable of withstanding a substantial load."

Lunt, aged 41, of Valley Road and Wright, 41, of Tewkesbury Road, both received 18 week sentences suspended for 12 months.

They must also carry out 280 hours of community service and pay £2,114 costs.