HSE issues fine after worker falls through sheep shed roof

Failing to implement basic working at height safety measures, which resulted in a worker suffering life-changing injuries, has cost a North Yorkshire construction company and its director more than £110,000 in court fines and costs.

Jack Croft, 30, who was working for Norman Iveson Steel Products, fell from a height of about 6m through the roof of a sheep shed and suffered five cranial fractures, 10 fractured ribs, a cranial bleed, hearing loss and fractures to his spine, eye socket, cheek, wrist and shoulder.

He also suffered a collapsed left lung and a pulmonary embolism.

See also: Father jailed after son’s death in telehandler accident

© HSE

Mr Croft, from Bedale, was carrying out the work on 11 October 2022 when he stepped onto a fragile rooflight which immediately broke under his weight.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had failed to implement basic working at height control measures, such as safety netting, to prevent falls from height in this area.

The netting that was in place on-site did not cover full work areas and was installed by persons without the sufficient skills to rig it.

The HSE also found a failure to plan, manage and monitor the construction phase, to ensure it was carried out in a safe manner.

Norman Iveson Steel Products, of Hill Crest, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to Section 2(1) of 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 Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £1,822 and told to pay costs of £2,358.

HSE inspector Gavin Carruthers said: “Falls from height continue to be the leading cause of workplace death in Great Britain, and this incident was fully avoidable if steps were taken to address the risks.”

A range of guidance on how to plan and carry out work at height safely can be accessed on the HSE website.