Falls from Height – HSE Prosecutes Employers After Serious Accidents at Work

Falls from height continue to be one of the leading causes of fatal and serious injuries in the UK workplace. Despite strict health and safety regulations, recent prosecutions by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that some employers are still failing in their duty to protect workers.

Two recent cases—one involving a manufacturing firm in Hull and the other a building company in Sheffield—underline just how serious these failures can be. Both resulted in serious injuries to employees and criminal convictions for the employers involved.

Case 1

In November 2021, a maintenance engineer fell approximately 4.5 metres through a fragile roof while carrying out maintenance work at the employer’s site in Hull.

The employee was accessing a roof to fix a fault on an extraction fan. While moving across the roof, which included fragile roof panels, he stepped onto one of the panels and fell through it onto the concrete floor below. He suffered multiple serious injuries, including broken ribs and damage to internal organs.

An investigation by the HSE found that the employer had failed to adequately assess the risks of working at height, failed to identify the presence of fragile roof panels, and had not implemented suitable control measures such as fall protection systems or signage.

• Outcome:
• The employer pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
• The employer was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £3,779.88 in costs.

Case 2

In another incident, an employee was injured after falling approximately 2.5 metres from an unguarded platform at a construction site in Sheffield in July 2021.

The employee had been removing old signage from a shopfront using a tower scaffold that had been improperly erected without edge protection. He fell from the platform onto the pavement below, sustaining serious injuries to his arm and shoulder.

The HSE’s investigation revealed that the employer had failed to plan the work at height properly and had not provided appropriate equipment or supervision. The scaffold had not been assembled by a competent person, and no safety checks had been carried out.

• Outcome:
• The employer pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
• It was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs.

Employers’ Legal Duties – No Excuse for Non-Compliance

These cases demonstrate a clear and consistent failure to comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005, which require employers to:

• Properly plan all work at height
• Carry out risk assessments
• Provide appropriate access and fall prevention equipment
• Ensure only competent individuals undertake such work

Sadly, this is an all too common occurrence.

When employers ignore these duties, the consequences can be catastrophic—and the law rightly holds them accountable.

Injured at Work? You Have a Right to Claim

If you or a loved one has been injured in a fall from height at work, you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim for compensation. Claims can help you recover:

• Lost earnings
• Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation
• Pain and suffering
• Long-term care and support

Importantly, claiming compensation can also drive change by holding employers accountable and improving safety for others.

Why You Need a Specialist Solicitor

Employers and insurers may deny responsibility or try to shift the blame to the injured worker. That’s why specialist legal advice is essential. A specialist personal injury solicitor will ensure that your case is properly investigated, your evidence is gathered, and you are fully supported throughout the claims process.

At Clough & Wills, we have extensive experience helping those injured at work claim the compensation they deserve. Our team will guide you through every step, from initial advice to settlement or trial.

There are strict time limits for bringing a claim—don’t delay in seeking advice.​​​​​​