Two companies fined after worker injured in fall from height

Two Shrewsbury-based companies have been fined after a worker fell through a roof during work on a house extension.

The injured man, one of several workers employed by Roofrite Limited carrying out work on the roof of the property. The firm had been appointed by Harding and Houlston Building Contractors Limited, to install the roof on the property.

While on the roof, he accidently stepped  where there was an opening for a window yet to be installed.as a result he fell through and to the ground below. He suffered fractures to his spine and ribs.

An investigation finds external scaffold in place around the perimeter of the extension to allow workers access to the roof. However, there were no measures in place internally to prevent falls into the extension and to the ground below.

Tip: HSE guidance : Working at height remains one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death – working safely at height.

Failure to properly plan and provide workers with suitable instructions

The HSE investigation also found that Roofrite Limited failed to properly plan the work and provide workers with suitable instructions. Therefore, carrying out their duties safely. Harding and Houlston Building Contractors Limited had also failed to ensure that the roof work had been properly planned. Therefore, failing to monitor the work being completed by the roofers on the site, which was under its control.

Roofrite (Shropshire) Limited, pleads guilty to breaching three charges  of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and were fined £8,000 and order to pay costs of £2,990 at a hearing at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on 19 May 2025.

Harding and Houlston Building Contractors Limited  pleads guilty to breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and were fined £500 and order to pay costs of £2,990 at the same hearing.

Working at height a leading cause of workplace injury and death

HSE inspector Sara Andrews said “Working at height remains one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death.

“This incident highlights the importance of undertaking a thorough assessment of the risks for all work at height activities. Suitable control measures, such as internal crash deck, should also be implemented to minimise the risk of serious personal injury.

“All principal contractors must ensure such control measures are in place throughout the duration of the work.”