Kent Air Ambulance landed on Whitstable beach

by Katie Alston

kalston@thekmgroup.co.uk

A builder has been fined after one of his workmen fell more than 12ft through a garage roof and suffered life threatening injuries.

Anthony Murphy was airlifted to hospital with two broken ribs and a fractured sternum when he took a tumble through the fragile roof of a block garages in Knotts Yard, Whitstable on February 17, 2010.

The 53-year-old is lucky to be alive after he broke several bones in his back so badly they could not be repaired with plates. He is constant pain and is likely to never be able to work again.

Mr Murphy had been helping contractor Hugh Pattison to clear foliage at the time of the accident.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that there was no edge protection to prevent either of the men falling and the platforms they were working on were not up to the job.

The HSE prosecuted Pattison, of Ripley Road, Willesborough, Ashford, for inadequate planning which they say led to the incident.

He pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 when he appeared at Canterbury Magistartes Court on Tuesday .

The 44-year-old was fined £800 and ordered to pay costs of £200.

After the hearing Mr Murphy, who lives in Folkestone said: "I find it very difficult to stand for any more than about five minutes and can only walk about 25 metres with assistance.

"I am in constant pain in my right leg and the left side of my rib cage, which causes further pain in my spine.

"My partner has given up her college course to look after me and I have a nurse who comes in every day to help me get up, bath, dress and put on my spinal brace.

"I have not worked since the incident and it is unlikely that I will be able to work, drive or ride my motorcycle ever again."

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Kevin Golding said: "Mr Murphy was extremely lucky to survive.

"Falls from height are the biggest killer at work and roofers account for almost a quarter of these deaths.

"Falls through fragile materials, such as cement roofs, account for more of these deaths than any other single cause.

"This high-hazard work should be properly planned and undertaken by trained and competent staff, with appropriate fall prevention equipment.

"HSE provides extensive guidance on safe roof work which is readily available via the website and is usually free, so there is no excuse for employers to carry out such work in a dangerous manner.

"Where companies do, HSE will take enforcement action."