A WELDING firm has been fined £40,000 after a worker suffered life-threatening injuries.

The 39-year-old man suffered multiple injuries after falling eight metres through the fragile roof of a timber storage shed when carrying out minor roof repairs at a site in Salford on February 23, 2016.

He was working for Abbey Village-based John Fowler & Son (Blacksmiths and Welders) Ltd at the time, who had also been fined £65,000 in June 2016 after Richard Calsen died when he was crushed to death in the back of a bin lorry.

The 25-year-old, whose partner was expecting a baby at the time, suffered a heart attack when he was crushed under the tailgate of the vehicle he was working on at the company's Abbey Mill site in May 2014.

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In the latest incident the 39-year-old suffered a broken leg, elbow and ribs, punctured lungs and had to have his spleen removed.

Health and safety bosses said he was 'fortunate not to lose his life'.

Following the incident, an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found no precautions had been taken to prevent workers from falling through or off the edge of the roof.

Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court heard the company had failed to properly plan the work at height and it failed to implement a safe system of work which ensured the employees were able to safely carry out the roof work.

John Fowler & Son (Blacksmiths & Welders) pleaded guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

The company was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £5,368.23 in costs.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Jackie Worrall said: “The injured employee in this case was very fortunate not to lose his life following this fall from height.

“Falls from height can be prevented by careful planning, using trained and experienced workers with suitable equipment and employing a high level of supervision.

“Deaths caused by falls through fragile surfaces occur mainly to those working in the building maintenance sector when carrying out small, short-term maintenance and cleaning jobs.

“On average seven people are killed each year after falling through a fragile roof or fragile roof light. Many others suffer permanent disabling injury.”

The company did not wish to comment.