Fine for company and director after employee falls through roof light

A construction company and its director have been fined after a worker fell through the roof of a sheep barn.

Jack Croft, 30, suffered life changing injuries after the incident in Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

He was working for Norman Iveson Steel Products, as part of a project to extend the sheep barn. Roof sheets needed to be installed, bridging the gap between the old roof and new. Jack, was carrying out the work  when he stepped onto a fragile roof light which immediately broke under his weight. As a result, he fell from a height of around six metres.

Fall through barn roof causing significant injuries

Mr. Croft suffered significant life changing injuries. These include five cranial fractures, 10 fractured ribs, a cranial bleed. In addition, other injuries include hearing loss and fractures to his spine, eye socket, cheek, wrist and shoulder. He also suffered a collapsed left lung and a pulmonary embolism.

An investigation by the HSE found the company had failed to implement basic working at height control measures. Such would include safety netting, to prevent falls from height in this area. The netting that was in place on site did not cover full work areas. It was also installed by persons without the sufficient skills to rig it. HSE also found failure to plan, manage and monitor the construction phase, to ensure it was carried out safely..

Tip: HSE has a range of guidance on how to plan and carry out work at height safely: https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/introduction.htm

Norman Iveson Steel Products Limited,  pleaded guilty to  the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,101 at York Magistrates Court on 22 May 2025.

Phillip Iveson, a director of the company, pleaded guilty to  the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 194 and fined £1,822 and told to pay costs of £2,358.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Gavin Carruthers, said: “This was a tragic incident where a young man narrowly escaped death but received life changing injuries. Falls from height continue to be the leading cause of workplace death in Great Britain. In conclusion, this incident was fully avoidable if steps were taken to address the risks.”