The electrical retailer Comet Group plc has been prosecuted in connection with a fatal fall from height in which the employer of the deceased was jailed for 2½ years. Comet has been fined £75,000 with nearly £25,000 costs for its connection in the death.

The 33-year old worker was working for Wrexham Roof Services Ltd in June 2007 at the Mount Street store when he fell through a fragile rooflight to the floor 8 metres below, sustaining injuries which proved fatal 5 days later.

An HSE inspector commented: "Comet failed to ensure that its contractor had taken steps to prevent falls through the fragile roof lights, ultimately leading to the death of a worker. This incident could have been avoided if the roof lights at the Wrexham store had been protected and the deceased had been provided with appropriate safety equipment."

Height safety is an important issue with the HSE reporting that over 4 000 employees suffered a major injury as a result of a fall from height in 2008/09.