Bricklayer hospitalised for a month after fall through collapsing roof

• Oldham-based company fined £30,000 after Health & Safety Executive investigation found multiple failings
• 25-year-old bricklayer sustained serious injuries including fractures to his right leg, hip and left hand
• Latest HSE statistics show falls from height remain the leading cause of fatal injuries in the workplace

An Oldham-based construction company has been fined after a bricklayer was hospitalised for a month when the floor he was working on collapsed.

On 4 June 2024 at a house under construction on Lynn Street, Oldham, the 25-year-old was bricklaying on the upper level of a house when the floor he was working on collapsed.

The worker fell along with multiple concrete blocks that had been stored on the upper floor. He sustained fractures to his right leg, hip and left hand, requiring surgery and a month-long stay in hospital.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Oldham Business and Construction Management Limited, as the principal contractor, had failed to properly plan, manage and monitor the construction work on site.

The floor that collapsed had been overloaded with concrete blocks and had not been constructed in accordance with the manufacturer’s design.

The investigation also identified a number of other health and safety failings at the site, including unsafe scaffolding, inadequate arrangements for work at height, a lack of fire alarms and inadequate competent site management.

As a result of these failings, HSE inspectors issued multiple enforcement notices.

HSE guidance states that effective management of health and safety is crucial to the successful delivery of a construction project. Principal contractors have an important role in managing the risks associated with construction work and must plan, manage and monitor the construction phase, ensuring that effective preventative and protective measures are in place and that appropriate supervision is provided.

HSE has a range of guidance on managing health and safety in construction available online.

Oldham Business and Construction Management Limited, of Bath Street, Oldham, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay £4,883 in costs, to be paid within 3 years, at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 11 August 2026.

HSE Inspector Karen Farley said:

“The injuries suffered by this worker were the consequence of fundamental failures to manage health and safety.

“Our investigation revealed that this was not an isolated failing but part of a broader pattern of poor health and safety standards across the site.

“The construction industry remains one of the highest-risk sectors and employers must ensure that work is properly planned, supervised and carried out safely.

“This incident was entirely foreseeable and could have been prevented had the floor been constructed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and safe systems of work been in place to ensure it was not overloaded with construction materials.”

The HSE prosecution was brought by HSE Enforcement Lawyer Arfaq Nabi and Paralegal Officer Hannah Snelling.

Further Information

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases are available.
4. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.

Health and Safety Executive confirms investigation into Newton Longville explosion 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is investigating the cause of an explosion which took place in Newton Longville on Sunday morning.  

On Monday 10 August, HSE was notified of an explosion which took place at 9:42am at a domestic property on Cobb Hall Road, Newton Longville.  

Our inspectors have been in close contact with Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Thames Valley Police and are attending the site of the incident to establish the cause of the explosion. 

Notes to Editors 

• Thames Valley Police is currently responsible for the site of the incident and road closures. 

• HSE is responsible for investigating potential breaches of Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. 

• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. 

• Food manufacturer has been fined £120,000
• Workers exposed to serious health and safety risks
• Prosecution follows HSE inspections at large bakeries across Great Britain

A food manufacturer has been fined after employees were at risk of developing occupational asthma a factory in Buckingham.

Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court heard how workers at Puratos Limited were at risk after HSE found the levels of inhalable dust at the site could cause illnesses such as occupational asthma.

A HSE inspection carried out on 03 December 2024 identified a number of unsafe practices, including dust escaping from machinery due to leaks, the use of compressed airlines to blow down dust deposits and dry sweeping using brushes and brooms.

A workplace dust monitoring report from18 December 2024 confirmed that employees were exposed to inhalable dust concentrations above the workplace exposure limits set by HSE during the testing undertaken.

HSE has been carrying out a series of inspections at large bakeries across Great Britain from January 2026. Inspectors have been checking that employers are properly protecting workers from the dangers of dusty ingredients including flour dust.

The investigation also found that workers were required to manually lift 25kg sacks of ingredients on a daily basis. Repeated manual handling of heavy loads can lead to musculoskeletal injuries and should be avoided where reasonably practicable.

The site had also previously been inspected in 2021 with enforcement action being taken in relation to employees’ exposure to dust as well as manual handling risks arising from its food manufacturing activities.

Puratos Limited, of Buckingham Industrial Park, Buckingham, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £120,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6270 at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court on 17 July 2026.

Following the hearing, HSE inspector Emma Page said:

“Too many workers in bakeries are suffering from unnecessary exposure to dusty ingredients, including flour. When employers prevent exposure, the risk of occupational asthma is removed.

“In the food and drink industries, around one-third of reportable injuries are acute injuries caused by handling and lifting. Employers must ensure they are properly protecting workers from the dangers of dusty ingredients and the manual handling of heavy materials.”

Notes to Editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
4. Relevant guidance can be found here: Flour (Bakers and millers) – COSHH
5. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.

• Site supervisor suffered life-changing injuries after falling from school roof
• Academy Trust responsible for 16 schools and no working at height risk assessment in place
• Falls from height remain the leading cause of fatal injuries in the workplace

Romero Catholic Academy Trust, which is responsible for 16 schools across the North West of England, has been fined £32,000 after an employee fell from the roof of a school in Burnley.

Robert Baker was working as a site supervisor at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School during an inset day when the incident occurred on 2 September 2024. He had climbed up to the roof on an unsecured ladder to collect footballs when he fell from the roof and onto the concrete playground.

A short time later Mr Baker was found on the ground by a member of the public. As a result of the fall Mr Baker suffered traumatic injuries including bleeding on the brain and fractures to his face, hand and foot. Since the incident he continues to experience memory problems, difficulties with speech, and challenges carrying out every day cognitive tasks, such as using the washing machine or microwave.

Latest statistics from HSE show that falls from height are the most common cause of fatalities in the workplace, accounting for over a quarter of all work related deaths in 2025/26.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the roof had no edge protection or other means to prevent or mitigate a fall from height. The Trust did not have a standalone work at height risk assessment or safe system of work, outlining how this sort of task should be done safely.

HSE guidance states what an employer must do to protect their employees from falls from height. There is also guidance for employers on the simple and sensible precautions they should take to keep workers safe when using ladders in the workplace which has been produced in collaboration with the Ladder Association.

During a statement received from Mr Baker, he said: “The effects of the subdural hematoma have had a significant and ongoing impact on my daily life. My recovery has been extremely difficult. At one point, doctors were unsure whether I would survive and if I did they couldn’t say if I would ever walk again.”

Before the incident Mr Baker was part of a car club and used to organise for the group to attend shows. He no longer attends due to difficulties with concentration. He is also concerned about finding work in the future and the implications this will have on him and his family.

Romero Catholic Academy Trust of Padiham, Burnley pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act, 1974. The Trust was fined £32,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,360 at Warrington Magistrates Court on the 14 July 2026. The fine was significantly reduced from its original starting point due the Trust being a non-profit charitable organisation.

HSE inspector Derek Mclauchlan said:

“This was a tragic incident that will have a lifelong impact on Mr Baker. Proper planning, assessment of the risks and control measures should be implemented.

“This incident could have been avoided had these been in place. The harm in this case was traumatic and life changing for Mr Baker. There are clear lessons that should be learned from this when working at height.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE Enforcement Lawyer Matthew Reynolds and Paralegal Officer Hannah Snelling.

Further information:

• The company had received previous enforcement notices on several occasions over an 11-year period 

• Employees had no access to running water or soap after sorting waste materials that could be contaminated with asbestos by hand 

• HSE guidance states employers must provide employees who are liable to interact with asbestos containing materials with suitable training

A waste and recycling company has been fined £36,000 for repeatedly failing to provide appropriate welfare facilities and asbestos awareness training for employees at a site in North Wales.  

Llandudno Magistrates’ Court heard how workers at World Care (Wales) Limited, were tasked with sorting waste and recyclable materials by hand without having facilities to wash dry themselves afterwards.  

At the World Care site, it was identified through a routine inspection that the company had failed to make warm running water and soap available to employees as well as a means to dry themselves. There had been at least one occasion where asbestos had been brought onto the site, yet they continued to not provide asbestos awareness training to employees.  

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that World Care (Wales) had received previous enforcement on several occasions over an 11–year period. On each occasion, inspectors found that the company failed to maintain the minimum health and safety standards required. These enforcement notices were in relation to welfare provisions and training. 

HSE Inspector James Benton said: “The health risks from exposure to material containing asbestos is well known yet this company wasn’t providing the appropriate facilities for workers to protect themselves.  

“Basic welfare provision is essential to ensure that employees can clean themselves at work, to help prevent exposure to harmful microorganisms. After being told of the risks, this company  repeatedly failed to provide adequate welfare facilities such as soap and running water, and failed to provide asbestos awareness training to employees.”   

World Care (Wales) Limited of Tre Marl Industrial Estate, North Wales, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £36,000 and £8,867 in costs at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court on 6 July 2026. The company opted to make the payments over a 16-month period. 

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Alan Hughes and paralegal officer Lynne Thomas. 

More information

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.  
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available. 
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.  
4. Relevant guidance can be found here  The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 
5. Workers in skilled trades are at particular risk of discovering and disturbing asbestos during their work. Make sure you know what to look for, and what to do to protect yourself when you come across asbestos with our Asbestos & You quick guide for trades. 
6. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.

Dirwywyd cwmni gwastraff ac ailgylchu yng Ngogledd Cymru oherwydd diffyg cyfleusterau lles a methiannau parhaus ar y safle

• Roedd y cwmni wedi derbyn hysbysiadau gorfodi ar sawl achlysur dros gyfnod o 11 mlynedd
• Nid oedd gan weithwyr fynediad at ddŵr rhedegog na sebon ar ôl didoli deunyddiau gwastraff â llaw – deunyddiau a allai fod wedi’u halogi ag asbestos
• Mae canllawiau’r HSE yn nodi bod yn rhaid i gyflogwyr ddarparu hyfforddiant addas i weithwyr sy’n debygol o ddod i gysylltiad â deunyddiau sy’n cynnwys asbestos

Mae cwmni gwastraff ac ailgylchu wedi cael dirwy o £36,000 am fethu dro ar ôl tro â darparu cyfleusterau lles priodol ac hyfforddiant ymwybyddiaeth asbestos i weithwyr ar safle yng Ngogledd Cymru.

Clywodd Llys Ynadon Llandudno sut yr oedd gweithwyr yn World Care (Wales) Limited yn cael y dasg o ddidoli gwastraff a deunyddiau y gellir eu hailgylchu â llaw heb fod ganddynt gyfleusterau i ymolchi a sychu eu hunain wedyn.

Ar safle World Care, canfuwyd drwy archwiliad arferol fod y cwmni wedi methu â darparu dŵr rhedegog cynnes a sebon i weithwyr, yn ogystal â dull o sychu eu hunain. Bu o leiaf un achlysur lle daethpwyd ag asbestos i’r safle, ac eto parhaodd y cwmni i beidio â darparu hyfforddiant ymwybyddiaeth asbestos i weithwyr.

Canfu ymchwiliad gan yr Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch (HSE) fod World Care (Wales) wedi derbyn camau gorfodi ar sawl achlysur dros gyfnod o 11 mlynedd. Ar bob achlysur, canfu’r arolygwyr fod y cwmni wedi methu â chynnal y safonau iechyd a diogelwch lleiaf gofynnol. Roedd y rhybuddion gorfodi hyn yn ymwneud â darpariaethau lles a hyfforddiant.

Dywedodd yr Arolygydd HSE James Benton: “Mae’r risgiau iechyd sy’n deillio o ddod i gysylltiad â deunydd sy’n cynnwys asbestos yn hysbys iawn, ac eto nid oedd y cwmni hwn yn darparu’r cyfleusterau priodol i weithwyr amddiffyn eu hunain.

“Mae darpariaeth lles sylfaenol yn hanfodol i sicrhau bod gweithwyr yn gallu glanhau eu hunain yn y gwaith, er mwyn helpu i atal dod i gysylltiad â micro-organebau niweidiol. Ar ôl cael gwybod am y risgiau, methodd y cwmni hwn dro ar ôl tro â darparu cyfleusterau lles digonol, fel sebon a dŵr rhedegog, a methodd â darparu hyfforddiant ymwybyddiaeth o asbestos i weithwyr.”

Plediodd World Care (Wales) Limited, o Ystad Ddiwydiannol Tre Marl yng Ngogledd Cymru, yn euog i dorri Adran 2(1) o Ddeddf Iechyd a Diogelwch yn y Gwaith ac ati 1974. Cafodd y cwmni ddirwy o £36,000 a gorchymyn i dalu costau o £8,867 yn Llys Ynadon Llandudno ar 6 Gorffennaf 2026. Dewisodd y cwmni wneud y taliadau dros gyfnod o 16 mis.

Cafodd yr achos erlyn hwn gan yr HSE ei gyflwyno gan y cyfreithiwr gorfodi Alan Hughes a’r swyddog paragyfreithiol Lynne Thomas.

Nodiadau i Olygyddion

1. Yr Awdurdod gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch (HSE) yw rheoleiddiwr cenedlaethol Prydain ar gyfer iechyd a diogelwch yn y gweithle. Rydym wedi ymrwymo i ddiogelu pobl a lleoedd, ac i helpu pawb i fyw bywydau mwy diogel ac iachach.
2. Mae rhagor o wybodaeth am y ddeddfwriaeth y cyfeirir ati yn yr achos hwn ar gael.
3. Mae manylion pellach am ddatganiadau newyddion diweddaraf yr HSE ar gael.
4. Gellir dod o hyd i ganllawiau perthnasol yma: Rheoliadau Rheoli Asbestos 2012 a Rheoliadau’r Gweithle (Iechyd, Diogelwch a Lles) 1992.
5. Mae gweithwyr mewn crefftau medrus mewn perygl arbennig o ddod ar draws ac aflonyddu ar asbestos yn ystod eu gwaith. Sicrhewch eich bod yn gwybod beth i edrych amdano, a beth i’w wneud i amddiffyn eich hun pan fyddwch yn dod ar draws asbestos, drwy ddefnyddio ein canllaw cyflym ‘Asbestos a Chi’ ar gyfer crefftau.
6. Nid yw’r HSE yn pasio dedfrydau, yn gosod canllawiau nac yn casglu unrhyw ddirwyon a roddir. Rhaid dilyn y canllawiau dedfrydu perthnasol oni bai bod y llys yn fodlon y byddai gwneud hynny yn groes i fuddiannau cyfiawnder. Gellir dod o hyd i’r canllawiau dedfrydu ar gyfer troseddau iechyd a diogelwch

• Man critically injured after side wall of excavation collapsed
• Work was not planned, managed or monitored
• Incident not reported to HSE until two months later

The sole director of a London-based construction company has been sentenced after a 50-year-old worker was left with life-changing injuries.

James Harper, who was the sole director of Cavendish Basements Limited, failed to report the incident to Britain’s workplace regulator, as required under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2012.

The 50-year-old man had been working for Harper on a construction site on Vant Road, London. He had been levelling the ground in a three-metre deep excavation area. It had been raining and the excavated soil and other material was piled up by the side of the excavation. As he went about the job, the side of the excavation fell towards him, leaving him pinned against the wall.

Rather than wait for paramedics to arrive, Mr Harper and another person, moved the operative to a works van and took him to hospital. The injured workers solicitor reported the incident to HSE two months later.

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) then made several visits to the construction site and found that the work being undertaken at the time of the incident and since failed to be suitably planned, managed and monitored. Specifically, regarding stability of structures, excavations, work at height and management/supervision arrangements, resulting in multiple enforcement notices being issued.

HSE guidance states that contractors are required to plan, manage and monitor the construction work under their control so it is carried out in a way that controls the risks. Further guidance can be found here: Managing health and safety in construction. Guidance on regulations L153

Mr. James Harper, of Ellison Road, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 by virtue of regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. He was sentenced to 6 months, suspended for 2 years and was ordered to pay £4608.32 costs and a £154 surcharge. HSE does not determine fines, which are set by the court.

Following the hearing, HSE inspector Andrew Pipe said:

“This was a wholly avoidable incident, where had appropriate measures been taken e.g. planning the work and shoring the excavation walls, then the life-changing injuries would not have occurred.

“Mr Harper’s decision to not report the incident, as required by law, resulted in other workers continuing to be put at risk on a daily basis and it was lucky that no one else was seriously injured.

“This case should remind everyone in the construction industry that HSE will not hesitate to take action against individuals and companies that fail to properly plan and manage serious risks on construction sites.”

This prosecution was bought by HSE enforcement lawyer Neenu Bains and paralegal officer Melissa Wardle.

Further information:

As school holidays approach, construction companies across the region are being urged to take additional precautions to keep children safe this summer.

While rare, children have tragically lost their lives, and others have been injured, after making their way on to unsecure and unsafe construction sites.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is calling on the construction industry to prevent children from accessing construction sites during the school holiday period, to stop children being injured or worse in pursuit of innocent fun and curiosity.

HSE is reminding those in control of sites that they have a duty to do everything they can to keep children out of the site and away from danger, with the following specific steps particularly relevant to child safety:

• Where necessary, to reflect the nature of the site and the surrounding area, ensure suitable perimeter fencing or hoarding is erected.
• Regularly check and review site security to ensure fencing or hoarding is maintained and kept in good order.
• Secure sites adequately when finishing work for the day.

• Barrier off or cover over excavations and pits.

• Isolate and immobilise vehicles and plant and if possible, lock them in a compound.

• Store building materials (such as pipes, manhole rings, and cement bags) so that they cannot topple or roll over.

• Remove access ladders from excavations and scaffolds.

• Lock away hazardous substances.

The school holiday period serves as a timely reminder that site security is not only a legal responsibility but a vital part of protecting local communities, especially when schools are closed and children have more free time to be outside.

HSE has a range of guidance and further information available to help manage the risks: Protecting the public

HSE’s Mike Thomas said: “Construction site managers should check their sites are secure, and in areas where children live and play, they should remain vigilant and ensure that the risks to children are properly controlled.

“Construction sites are places of work and contain numerous hazards, all of which can pose a dangerous threat to anyone entering without permission. Clients and contractors must ensure that unauthorised access onto sites is prevented, both during and outside working hours.”

Further information:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.

• Guidance referred to in this release can be found: HSG 151 – Protecting the public – your next move

• Other guidance referred to in this release can be found: CIS72 – Protecting the public: What you need to know as a busy builder

1. The relevant law in relation to unauthorised site access is set out in Regulations 13(4), 15(10) and 4(6) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
2. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available
3. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.

• 18-year-old’s foot slipped into unguarded conveyor
• HSE investigation found no suitable risk assessment in place
• SRCL Limited fined £300,150

A company providing clinical waste management services has been fined after an 18-year-old employee sustained serious injuries while loading a bin conveyor.

The young man was working for SRCL Limited at its site in Oldham on 21 November 2024, when his foot slipped into an unguarded conveyor channel. He sustained several serious fractures to his right leg.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and failed to provide suitable guarding on the bin conveyor.

HSE guidance states employers must take effective measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery or to stop the movement of any dangerous parts of it before any part of a person enters a danger zone. This will normally be by fixed guarding, but where routine access is needed, other measures may be needed to stop the movement of dangerous parts, for example by having interlocked guards or pressure mats. Further detailed guidance on safe working with machinery is available.

SRCL Limited, of Indigo House, Sussex Avenue, Leeds, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £300,150, a victim surcharge of £2000 and ordered to pay £3931.85 in costs at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 16 June 2026.

HSE Inspector Sam Eves, said:

“A young man at the beginning of his working life was failed by this company.

“This incident could have so easily been avoided by properly assessing the risks and applying the correct control measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery.

“Companies should know that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE Enforcement Lawyer Gemma Zakrzewski and supported by Paralegal Officer Stephen Grabe.

More information:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.  
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available. 
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.  
4. Relevant guidance can be found here Safe use of work equipment. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Approved Code of Practice and guidance L22 
5. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.   

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) are working together, along with government and industry, to support the safe and responsible adoption of robotics in the workplace.

The project, launched today, 10 June 2026, at London Tech Week, has been co-designed with industry to give companies clarity on regulatory requirements, and support businesses to increase the use of robotics.

HSE will partner with Automate UK and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) to create practical guidance on how collaborative robots (cobots) can safely work alongside humans – combining industry good practice with HSE regulatory expertise .

The first stage, launching this summer will deliver regulatory clarity for cobots. It will give industry confidence in how they can ensure robots can work safely alongside humans.

Andrew Curran CBE, Director of Science and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Health and Safety Executive, said: “We recognise how guidance and advice can give employers the confidence to innovate safely and provide a platform for new technology to improve productivity and enable growth.

“We understand that despite there being no barrier to adoption in health and safety law there is a fear of non-compliance, which is limiting adoption. Therefore, we are committed to working with the Regulatory Innovation Office and industry partners to deliver the first joint HSE and industry guidance on the use of cobots to address this barrier and improve business confidence.”

More information

• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
• HSE’s Science and Research Centre is based in Buxton, Derbyshire. It is a world-leading centre for applied science, engineering and research in health and safety.

• Scaffolder suffered a broken arm, leg and head injury after falling through skylight 

• Principal contractor failed to properly plan, manage and monitor the roof work 

• Skylight was ‘almost invisible’ to workers  

Two construction companies have been fined £79,300 after a scaffolder broke his arm, leg and suffered head lacerations after falling through a roof skylight while installing temporary scaffolding edge protection at a warehouse in Yorkshire. 

James Cranswick, 26, was installing temporary scaffolding edge protection for Clover Access Systems Limited at a warehouse at Acre Mills in Keighley, West Yorkshire, when the incident took place. CCTV footage shows Mr Cranswick falling onto a pallet truck before landing on the warehouse floor.  

Mr Cranswick was on the roof carrying materials from one end of the unit to the other when he stepped on a skylight and subsequently fell more than 6 metres to the concrete floor beneath.  

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that both Clover Access Systems Limited and STM360 Limited failed to plan, manage and monitor the work being undertaken by the scaffolders at the unit. As such, no measures were in place to prevent the scaffolders falling from the edge of the unit, or through the fragile elements of the roof. The skylights of the unit were almost invisible to Mr Cranswick and he was unaware of any fragile elements of the roof.  

HSE guidance details a clear hierarchy for work involving fragile surfaces. Those in control of roof work should firstly avoid the need for access to fragile roofs. Further guidance can be found here: Health and safety in roof work 

Clover Access Systems Limited pleaded guilty to breaching The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, Regulation 15. They were fined £26,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,866 at Leeds Magistrates Court on 4 June 2026. The company are now in liquidation. 

STM360 Limited pleaded guilty to breaching The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, Regulation 13. The company was fined £53,300 and ordered to pay £3,167 in costs. 

HSE Inspector Shauna Halstead, said:  

“Mr Cranswick is lucky to be alive after this incident.  

“His fall was wholly avoidable; the risks associated with work on, or around fragile surfaces are well-known, and HSE guidance is available to assist companies in complying with the law.  

“Everyone working in construction should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take enforcement action where roof work is not properly managed, as workers should not be needlessly put in harm’s way.  

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Arfaq Nabi and paralegal officer Hannah Snelling.   

More information:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.  
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available. 
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.  
4. Relevant guidance can be found here Health and safety in roof work – HSE 
5. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.