An employee at a church in Liverpool where a volunteer worker suffered a fatal fall has said that he wasn’t responsible for health and safety.
Royden Henry, 43, was the assistant building manager on duty at the Liverpool Lighthouse when the tragic incident took place. Lee Bourn, a member of the congregation, who had volunteered to assist builder Keith Tyson in installing insulation in the Anfield building.
The church had got quotes for the work and had even received a grant for the full value of the work, but still decided to use Tyson, who was inexperienced in working at height. The church had also been warned that the loft space was unsafe for untrained people, but it still allowed Tyson to use untrained volunteers from the congregation as volunteers. No scaffolds were used during the job, only harnesses and ladders.
Following Mr Bourn’s fall, which was caused by the rope used to extend the harnesses snapping, a trial has begun. Royden Henry has said that although he had gone on an introductory health and safety training course, he was not the designated officer responsible for health and safety. He only attended more advanced health and safety training after the incident.