HSE warning after Roger Jary's Welshpool roof fall death
Health and safety chiefs have warned companies to take precautions when hiring self-employed workers following the death of a 79-year-old man.
Contractor Roger Jary, from Welshpool, Powys, died after falling through a carport roof in 2010.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said estate agent Morris Marshall and Poole (MMP) admitted health and safety breaches and was fined £75,000.
MMP said it was working to prevent similar incidents happening again.
Mr Jary was hired by MMP to carry out minor repairs to a carport and a gutter of a rented bungalow in Welshpool, which the company managed for the owner.
But the HSE said MMP failed to ensure the work was properly planned and organised or if Mr Jary was competent to carry out the work.
Chester Crown Court heard on Tuesday that Mr Jary fell through the plastic roof of the carport on 10, August 2010.
The HSE said MMP admitted breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974.
It said the firm was fined £75,000 and ordered to pay costs of £11,153.95.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Chris Wilcox said: "Roger Jary might be alive today if simple safety measures had been put in place.
'Shocked and saddened'
"Morris, Marshall and Poole had a duty to ensure the safety of those they employed, whether working directly for them or not.
"If your business is managing properties then you must ensure that anyone you engage to maintain those properties is competent and carries out their work safely to ensure their safety and that of others."
After the hearing MMP expressed its "sincere condolences" to Mr Jary's family and friends.
In a statement, the company added: "Mr Jary was a well respected local businessman who had a long and successful association with the firm.
"Many partners and staff knew Mr Jary personally and were shocked and saddened by his passing.
"Morris Marshall & Poole have made determined efforts to ensure that everything possible is done to prevent a similar accident occurring in the future, but at this time our thoughts are with Mr Jary, and his family and friends."
MMP has offices in Welshpool, Newtown, Montgomery, Llanidloes, and Shrewsbury and Oswestry in Shropshire.