Roofing company fined after 2.5m fall

A roofing company has been fined $45,000 after one of its workers fell 2.5m from a roof while safety gear sat unused on the site.

Cory Tui was hospitalised for two days with a severed tendon and cuts to his wrist and was off work for two and a half months after falling from a roof at a kindergarten in Marton, about 35km southeast of Whanganui.

He and Warwick Golie, the director of W Golie Roofing, were both wearing safety harnesses but they hadn't been attached to an anchor point, and edge protection, which was delivered to the site, wasn't being used.

W Golie Roofing was fined $45,000 in Whanganui District Court on Monday and ordered to pay reparation of $3000 for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure Mr Tui's safety.

Worksafe NZ chief inspector Keith Stewart says it beggars belief that Mr Tui and Mr Golie were both wearing a safety harness but they weren't secured.

"When Mr Golie was asked why they were not attached he replied 'I just got lazy'. That's not good enough," Mr Stewart said.

"Safety gear is no good to anyone if it's not being used."

NZN

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Roofing company fined after 2.5m fall