Gwili Railway fined after volunteer falls from roof of Mk1 coach

A fine of £18,000 has been given to the Gwili Railway Company Ltd, who pleaded guilty to an offence under the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

The incident saw an investigation undertaken by the Office of Rail and Road, which led the industry regulator to prosecute.

The incident took place on the 16th of June, 2022, at the company's Llwyfan Cerrig Yard and involved a volunteer who was pulling tent fabric over a frame covering two railway coaches.

During the task, the volunteer slipped and fell from the roof of a Mark 1 coach to the ground, suffering a broken leg which needed surgery and a number of days in hospital.

Following the incident, on the 28th of June 2022, an Office of Rail and Road inspector served a Prohibition Notice.

The regulator's investigation discovered insufficient planning, management and supervision for the task undertaken by the volunteer.

The company had no measures in place to protect volunteers/employees from falling from a carriage roof, volunteers also had no competence for working at height. The investigation also revealed that the ladder used to climb onto the carriage roof by the volunteer was not fit for purpose due to its poor condition.

The task was part of an ongoing work activity over a number of days, which increased the risk of a fall from height for a lengthened period, which saw several volunteers and an employee placed at risk.

Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways, said:

“Working at height accidents are too frequent in the heritage sector and Gwili Railway Company Ltd is fortunate its inadequate measures did not result in more serious injury.”

“We strongly encourage each company to ensure that work activities involving work at height are properly planned to ensure the risk of harm is minimised.”