North Eastern Roofing owner imprisoned for 10 months after admitting manslaughter in relation to site accident

The owner of a roofing contractor in South Wales has been jailed for 10 months following the death of an employee.

Roy Clark, the proprietor of North Eastern Roofing, admitted charges of manslaughter after a 17-year-old employee, Daniel Dennis, fell to his death through a skylight in 2003. Clark was jailed for 10 months and ordered to pay costs of almost £18,000.

The UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) warned companies to ensure that employees working at height have proper safety equipment, and to assess the risk to their employees._

Dean Baker, HSE inspector, said: “This tragic case demonstrates the need for employers to take serious steps to ensure anyone working at height is properly trained, and given appropriate equipment to do their job safely. These measures had not been taken in this case, and Daniel Dennis was never given any training or induction for working at height.

“Falls from height very often result in serious injury and death - it costs businesses and society money and ultimately can costs lives.”

Topics