Heathrow Airport fined after contractor injured in roof fall

Heathrow Airport Ltd has been fined £10,000 after a contractor suffered "life changing injuries" while working on the roof of Terminal 1.

The contractor fell into a 2.2m deep gully from the roof of Terminal 1 at Heathrow Airport in March 2007 while performing maintenance work.

An investigation found that there was no edge protection around the gully and local lighting was not working.

Heathrow Airport Ltd, based in London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined the company £10,000 and ordered  to pay costs of £3,130 at City of London Magistrates Court.

Prosecuting HSE inspector, Steve Kirton, said: "Falls from height remain one of the most significant causes of serious injury reported to HSE, yet simple precautions can prevent these falls. Edge protection, or other fall protection, should always be provided where people are working at height".