Lowndes Lumb Construction Limited has been fined £60,000 after a worker sustained life-changing injuries from a fall through an unprotected roof light. The incident occurred on 10 November 2023, during refurbishment work at a domestic property in Fulham, London, leading to a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and a significant penalty imposed at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 3 August 2026.
Unprotected roof light led to serious fall at Fulham property
The worker was engaged in roof refurbishment activities at a property on Langthorne Street, Fulham, when the incident took place. He was in the process of passing materials through an open, unprotected roof light as part of a property renovation project. Tragically, he fell through the opening, plummeting onto the concrete floor below and suffering severe, life-altering injuries.
An investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive revealed failings by Lowndes Lumb Construction Limited. The company had neglected to implement suitable and sufficient measures to safeguard workers from the inherent risks associated with working at height. Essential preventative measures, such as the provision of scaffolding, guard rails, an internal crash deck, or appropriate harness systems, were conspicuously absent from the worksite.
HSE guidance states that all work carried out at height must be meticulously planned, adequately supervised, and executed safely by individuals who possess the necessary competence. Work at height encompasses any situation where, in the absence of proper precautions, a person could fall a distance that is liable to cause personal injury. The absence of these fundamental safety provisions directly contributed to the worker’s devastating fall and subsequent injuries.
HSE Inspector Lydia Edwards commented on the gravity of the situation, stating, “Falls from height continue to be one of the leading causes of workplace death and serious injury across Great Britain. The latest HSE statistics underscore this, showing they accounted for approximately a quarter of all worker fatalities during the 2025/26 period.” She further emphasised, “This was an entirely avoidable incident that resulted in a worker enduring life-changing injuries. Had suitable measures been in place to prevent a fall, this incident could have been prevented.” Inspector Edwards concluded by urging, “If you are working at height and identify a risk that someone or something could fall, it is imperative that you take immediate action to control that risk.”
Lowndes Lumb Construction Limited formally pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. This regulation specifically mandates that every employer shall ensure that work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner. The court subsequently imposed a fine of £60,000 on the company and ordered them to pay an additional £6,070 in costs. This prosecution, spearheaded by HSE enforcement lawyer Edward Parton and paralegal officer Melissa Wardle, serves as a stark reminder of the legal and moral obligations employers have to protect their workforce.
The Health and Safety Executive, as Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, remains dedicated to protecting people and places, striving to help everyone lead safer and healthier lives. This case underscores the critical importance of adhering to work at height regulations and implementing robust safety protocols to prevent serious injuries and fatalities in the construction sector and beyond. Employers must proactively assess risks and provide the necessary equipment and training to ensure the wellbeing of their employees.
This story was originally published by HSE Media Centre.
