Boss fined after builder fractured spine in fall

Norman Iveson Steel Products failed to implement "basic" height control measures, the Health and Safety Executive said

A construction firm and its director have been fined after a worker suffered life-changing injuries when he fell through a barn roof.

Jack Croft, 30, sustained fractures to his spine, skull, ribs and shoulder from the incident, which happened in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, in October 2022.

Mr Croft, from nearby Bedale, also suffered a collapsed left lung, hearing loss and injuries to his cheek and wrist.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found his employer, Norman Iveson Steel Products, failed to implement "basic" height control measures.

Safety netting to prevent falls from height did not cover all areas and was installed by people without the sufficient skills to rig it, the HSE found.

The company was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,101 at York Magistrates' Court last week after pleading guilty to a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act, the HSE said.

Mr Iveson, who admitted to a breach of Section 37 of the same Act, was 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 and this incident was fully avoidable if steps were taken to address the risks."

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