Industrial cladding firm and director fined following fatal fall through fragile roof

Camclad Contractors Limited, a provider of industrial cladding and roofing services, and its director, Dominic Lakeman-Pettit, have been found guilty following the death of a worker who fell through a fragile roof while undertaking cladding replacement.

The incident occurred on January 24, 2018, at Gaerwen Industrial Estate, Anglesey. Leslie Bennion, a 61-year-old employee of Camclad Contractors Limited, was in the process of replacing cladding panels on a former abattoir that had sustained storm damage when the fatal accident took place.

An investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed significant failings in the planning and execution of the work. The HSE determined that the project had been planned solely based on photographic evidence, with no prior site visit conducted. Consequently, the contractor was unaware of the building's precise dimensions. This lack of information resulted in the hired cherry picker, intended to provide safe access for working at height, being unable to reach all areas of the structure requiring repair.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE principal inspector Damian Corbett emphasised the responsibilities of those in control of work: "Duty holders must establish safe working methodologies and ensure that their workers receive the necessary information and instruction to adhere to these safe systems of work."

He further stated, "Adequate planning would have facilitated the implementation of a suitable safe system of work, thereby preventing the risk of falls through fragile materials. Companies must recognise that the HSE will not hesitate to pursue appropriate enforcement action against those who fail to meet the required safety standards."

Camclad Contractors Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £225,000. The company was also ordered to pay costs of £10,000.

Dominic Lakeman-Pettit, a director of the company residing at Great North Road, Wyboston, Bedfordshire, also pleaded guilty to breaching section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. He received a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was instructed to pay costs of £1,000.

Prosecutor Craig Morris described the risk assessment method statement (RAMS) as “little more than a meaningless piece of paper.” He highlighted that there was “never any intention to install nets” despite their mention in the RAMS and noted that no one at Camclad used basic tools like a tape measure or laser device to measure the building’s dimensions, falling “far below” industry standards.

The judge Timothy Petts described Leslie Bennion’s death as a “wholly avoidable” tragedy, pointing to “remarkable” health and safety failings by Camclad and its director, Dominic Lakeman-Pettit. He clarified that the sentences (a £225,000 fine for Camclad and a suspended four-month prison term with 200 hours of unpaid work for Lakeman-Pettit) were based on guidelines and did not reflect the value of Bennion’s life.

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