A BUILDING firm has been fined £10,000 after a worker broke his back when he fell four metres from a roof. SJ Roberts Construction, of Marton, had pleaded guilty to breaching two of the “Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007” when they appeared at Lincoln Magistrates Court this week. Subcontractor Seaton Heating and Engineering Services of Belgrave, Tamworth, were also fined £7,000 after pleading guilty to breaching the “Work at Height Regulations 2005”. The charges related to an incident at Southview Leisure Park, Skegness, on March 8, 2013, when a 36-year-old man from Kettlebrook fractured a vertebra in his lower back after falling from a roof. The court heard that SJ Roberts were the principal contractor for the installation of a new flume tower and swimming pool extension at the leisure park. Seaton Heating and Engineering Services were employed as sub-contractors to install a new air-handling unit and associated pipework for the swimming pool. The man – an employee of Seaton Heating and Engineering Services – was working on the roof of the swimming pool extension. Most of the roof was protected but a section was left exposed, presenting a fall risk. While working, the man was standing on a narrow plywood area around half a metre wide, close to the open edge. His route to the stairs was blocked when he needed to go and collect some tools.  While walking along the plywood next to the open edge, the plywood gave way and he fell four metres. He landed on his feet but then fell backwards, landing on concrete and rubble. He spent five days in hospital and needed a back brace when discharged.SJ Roberts Construction was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £645.60. Following the case Health and Safety Executive inspector Chris Copeman said: “This worker is very fortunate not to have suffered far more serious injuries. “Throughout the whole process of roof work, there was no adequate protection against falls, such as barriers on the open edge. Had he tripped and fallen from the edge of the roof, we could have been dealing with a fatal incident. “SJ Roberts Construction Ltd and Seaton Heating and Engineering Services Ltd put workers’ lives in danger by allowing them to work on a roof without suitable safety measures being in place.  “They failed to recognise their responsibility to ensure that work at height carried out under their control was done safely.”