Solar panel installer in court over fall death

3 April 2014 08:38 Comments (0)

A Preston-based company which installs solar panels is to be prosecuted at a trial due to begin on Friday into the death of a worker who fell through a barn roof.

The Health & Safety Executive is bringing criminal proceedings against Eco Generation following the incident at Tower View Farm in Hutton on 15 November 2011.

Gregorz Sobko had been fitting solar panels to the roof of a cow shed when one of the clear plastic panels, designed to let in light, gave way. The 34-year-old from Southport fell five metres to the concrete floor below and died in hospital ten days later.

Eco Generation, of Brownhill Lane in Longton, has been charged with two breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The charges relate to failing to ensure suitable measures were in place to prevent workers from being injured in falls.

The company is due to appear before Preston Magistrates' Court on Friday 4 April 2014 for the first hearing in the case.

There was no response from Eco Generation when attempts were made to contact the company this morning.