A construction company from Rowland Gill has been fined £320,000 after a worker fell through the roof of a retail unit.

The man, a 32-year-old roofer, fell more than 20 feet through a roof light onto a suspended ceiling, breaking his ankle. The incident occurred in July 2019 at Unit 103, Watling Street, Milton Keynes on 19 July 2019. 

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found STP Construction Ltd, a company based in Rowlands Gill, Tyne and Wear, at fault. 

Ineffective planning of access arrangements to and on the roof resulted in workers having to pass fragile materials before they could make use of the fall arrest system installed there.

At the time, STP Construction Ltd was the principal contractor on a construction project in a retail unit in Bletchley, which houses retailers Matalan and Carpet Right. STP Construction Ltd contracted Brackley Industrial Maintenance Ltd, to carry out specialist roofing works.

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Whilst working on the project, the roofer was required to work on the roof of the building and carry out work on roof lights.

The HSE investigation also highlighted that Brackley Industrial Maintenance Ltd failed to ensure the provision and use of physical means to either prevent or arrest falls.

STP Construction Ltd, of Woodside Walk, Whinfield Industrial Estate, Rowlands Gill, Tyne And Wear, pleaded guilty to contravening Regulation 13(1) of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £320,000 and ordered to pay £8,538 in costs at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on 10 February 2023.

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Brackley Industrial Maintenance Ltd, of Avon Dassett, Southam, Warwickshire, pleaded guilty to contravening Regulation 9 (2) of the Work at Height Regulations. The company was fined £68,000 and also ordered to pay £8,538 in costs at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on 10 February 2023.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Jenny Morris said: "This incident could have easily been avoided. Assessing and planning work at height is essential to ensuring that suitable and sufficient measures are in place to prevent falls from height.

"Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards."

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