Clearview National October 2016 - Issue 179 | Page 56

SOLIDROOFS&CONSERVATORIES THE SKY’S THE LIMIT »»THE SYNSEAL GROUP, A name now synonymous with product development and innovation, is hitting the market with yet another hotly anticipated product, the Stratus Thermal Lantern Roof. Andy Jones, Sales and Marketing Director at the Synseal Group, explains: ”Visitors to the FIT Show earlier this year were invited for a pre-launch preview of Stratus and the market response was extremely positive. Just as with WarmCore, we went back to the drawing board to purpose design what we believe to be the most thermally efficient, stylish and contemporary aluminium lantern roof system currently available and a totally new concept in conservatory roof solutions. “Aesthetically, the Stratus has been designed for an incredibly clean, modern look that’s totally on trend and is complemented by the full aluminium exterior for a premium, hard wearing, architectural look. “Available in 2-way, 3-way and contemporary style, whereby the ridge is supported by the hip rafters and negates the requirement for rafters either side, the lantern roof can span up to 3 x 6 metres. The fact that the pitch is fixed at 20 degrees allows the system to use incredibly discreet purpose-designed top caps and internal covers, without any unsightly gaps to the rafter ends. The minimal ridge and aluminium cappings completes the look, resulting in a sleek, low-line installation. Designed with an obsessive attention to detail with elements like the thermally broken eaves beam produced in a black finish meaning that, when viewed from above, the perimeter appears as a discreet shadow line. “The Stratus’ fully thermallybroken ridge, rafters and eaves beam, offer unbeatable thermal product performance. The use of polyamide nylon and glass composite thermal breaks (a material that is 533 times less conductive than aluminium) means Stratus is up to 65% more thermally efficient than traditional aluminium systems. Features like these are gold dust for customers selling to homeowners as they can promote the host of benefits including a room that is warmer in winter and cooler in summer, with the resulting reduction in heating bills. “The Stratus Thermal Lantern Roof will provide our customers with a point of differentiation in a competitive market, without the need to erode the margin potential.” www.synseal.com/stratus Fined after worker’s fall A conservatory roof manufacturer and installer has appeared in court after a worker suffered serious injuries in a fall from a conservatory roof. »»THE 59-YEAR-OLD WORKER FROM Bolton suffered a fractured skull, which resulted in a bleed on his brain and a shattered eye socket in the incident, which occurred at a property in Newton Le Willows in June 2015. The incident was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which prosecuted Phil Coppell Ltd for serious safety failings and failing to report a previous incident in 2013 when the same employee fell off a roof and lost consciousness, and another employee suffered multiple broken ribs in a fall through a skylight. Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court heard that two workers had been carrying out repair work on the roof of the conservatory. Whilst working alone on the roof the employee lost his footing and fell approximately 2.5 metres onto a patio area below. 56 » OCT 2016 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M There were no preventative measures in place to prevent the risk of a fall from height. An Improvement Notice was served by HSE during the investigation and the company subsequently developed a barrier for use as edge protection. Phil Coppell Ltd of Cemetery Road, Radcliffe, Greater Manchester pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and breaches of Regulation 3(1) of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995, and Regulation 4(1) of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013, and was fined £40,280 and ordered to pay costs of £1,464.70. Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector, Christine McGlynn, said: “This incident could have been avoided if the company had learnt lessons from two previous similar incidents in 2013. The risks of working from height are well known and there is plenty of guidance available. “Employees of this company were exposed to the risks of falls over a prolonged period of time. Generally, work of this nature is at the rear of premises and is not visible or easy to monitor, however this prosecution should highlight, in particular to other companies who carry out work on conservatory roofs, that they should have in place control measures to prevent the risk of falls.” For more information on what employers need to do to protect employees when they work at height please visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/ safetytopics/workingatheight.htm