Lancashire-based AJ Riley Landscapes and Building Limited has been fined £20,000 after a worker suffered severe fractures in a 10-metre fall through a fragile barn roof. The incident, which occurred on 24th February 2025, saw 47-year-old Josh Huddleston sustain injuries to his ribs, vertebrae, and pelvis while replacing a skylight, leading to a prosecution at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 3 November 2026 where the company was also ordered to pay £4,955 in costs.
Fragile roof fall leaves worker with severe fractures
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation following the serious incident. Their findings revealed that AJ Riley Landscapes and Building Limited had failed significantly in its duty to ensure a safe working environment. Crucially, the company had not adequately planned the work activity, nor had it implemented appropriate control measures to prevent Mr Huddleston from falling through the fragile roof. Furthermore, the investigation highlighted a critical lapse in worker training, noting that employees had not received sufficient instruction to competently use the control measures outlined in the company’s own risk assessment.
Work on fragile roofs is widely recognised as posing substantial risks, and employers are legally obliged to put suitable precautions in place before any work commences. HSE guidance explicitly states that all work at height must be meticulously planned, appropriately supervised, and executed by individuals deemed competent for the task. Where working at height is unavoidable, employers must take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent falls that could result in personal injury. This case underscores the severe consequences when these fundamental safety principles are neglected.
AJ Riley Landscapes and Building Limited, based in Caton, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This section mandates that employers ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare at work of all their employees. The court’s decision to impose a substantial fine reflects the gravity of the company’s failings and the serious harm caused to their employee.
Following the sentencing at Warrington Magistrates’ Court, HSE inspector Matthew Shepherd emphasised the ongoing dangers of working at height. “Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities,” he stated. “It is fortunate that Mr Huddleston survived this fall, which could easily have resulted in fatal injuries. The risks associated with working at height on fragile roof surfaces are well known.”
Inspector Shepherd continued to highlight the preventability of such incidents: “AJ Riley Landscapes and Building Limited failed to ensure appropriate control measures were in place to prevent a worker falling through the roof. Suitable precautions are readily available, and this incident could have been prevented through proper planning, risk assessment and the implementation of effective control measures.” He concluded with a stark warning to the industry: “This prosecution should serve as a reminder to all employers and contractors undertaking work at height that they have a duty to protect their workers. HSE will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those who fail to meet their legal responsibilities.”
This case serves as a critical reminder for all construction and landscaping firms, and indeed any organisation undertaking work at height, of their legal and moral obligations. The financial penalties and reputational damage incurred by AJ Riley Landscapes and Building Limited are significant, but they pale in comparison to the life-altering injuries sustained by Mr Huddleston. Adherence to robust health and safety protocols, comprehensive risk assessments, and thorough employee training are not merely bureaucratic hurdles but essential safeguards designed to prevent serious harm and save lives. The HSE continues its commitment to enforcing these standards to ensure workplaces across Great Britain are safe for everyone.
This story was originally published by HSE Media Centre
