The men were working on the roof of a large furniture store in Bridgtown, Cannock, in September 2011 for Fastrac Profiles Limited when they were spotted and photographed by an alarmed member of the public.
The Health and Safety Executive visited the Green Lane premises and found the workers were not trained for the roof repairs they were undertaking.
Stafford Magistrates’ Court heard that they had been instructed to weld steel to uprights at the apex of a roof.
The work was poorly planned and no risk assessment had been carried out.
HSE inspectors also found that no fall-prevention measures, such as scaffolding, had been put in place.
Although the failings did not result in a fall or injury, the two employees, plus others working below them, were placed in unnecessary danger.
Fastrac Profiles Limited, of Willenhall, near Wolverhampton, was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £3,761 in costs after pleading guilty to safety regulations.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Alastair Choudhury said: “The risks involved with work at height are entirely foreseeable, and it is essential that proper planning, assessment and training is undertaken to reduce these risks.
“Those who neglect to do this, like Fastrac Profiles Limited, and who don’t provide a safe system of work put workers at serious risk. They are clearly failing to comply with the required standard.
“I would like to thank the member of the public who brought this to our attention because the situation had the potential to lead to serious or fatal injuries for both men.
.gif)
