A Manchester-based mechanical and engineering construction company, JLM Solutions Limited, has been fined after a joiner suffered life-changing injuries, including paralysis, following a fall through an unsecured skylight opening. The incident occurred on 22 November 2023, at a domestic property in Altrincham, where the worker was constructing a new roof’s timber frame. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found significant failings in the company’s management of the roof work.
Principal contractor failed to manage roof work safely
Adam Kirkpatrick, 53, had been subcontracted by JLM Solutions Limited for the roofing project. On the day of the incident, Mr Kirkpatrick was traversing the roof structure, walking across a piece of plyboard that had been placed over a roof light opening. Crucially, this board had not been secured, leading to it giving way beneath him. He subsequently fell from height, sustaining severe injuries.
Mr Kirkpatrick’s son, the only other person present on site after the main workforce had departed for the day, discovered his father and promptly called for an ambulance. Mr Kirkpatrick was rushed to hospital, where medical assessments revealed a head injury, fractured ribs, a fractured sternum, and a complete spinal cord injury. The devastating consequence of the fall is that he is now paralysed from the waist down, fundamentally altering his life and future prospects.
Reflecting on the impact of the accident, Mr Kirkpatrick shared his deep love for his job in the construction industry, a career he had pursued since leaving school. He spoke of his previous ability to provide for his family and the retirement plans he and his wife, Julie, had been making, envisioning more time with their grandchildren. The accident shattered these dreams, transforming his role from provider to someone reliant on others. He endures severe nerve pain and requires self-catheterisation, acknowledging the critical role the NHS played in saving his life.
Julie Kirkpatrick also conveyed the distress caused by the incident, describing how their world was “turned upside down” upon learning Adam would never walk again. She highlighted Adam’s dedication to his work and family, lamenting that he would no longer be able to chase his grandchildren, play football with his grandsons, or dance with his granddaughter – simple joys that formed the core of their retirement aspirations.
The subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) examined the circumstances leading to Mr Kirkpatrick’s fall. It concluded that JLM Solutions Limited, operating as the principal contractor for the project, failed in its fundamental duties to properly plan, manage, and monitor the roof work. Specifically, the company did not ensure that suitable measures and equipment were in place to prevent or protect workers against falls from height. Furthermore, the HSE identified a critical lack of adequate site supervision throughout the duration of the work.
HSE guidance states that robust health and safety management is crucial for the successful execution of any construction project. Principal contractors bear a significant responsibility in managing the inherent risks associated with construction work. This includes the obligation to plan, manage, and monitor the construction phase comprehensively, ensuring that all subcontractors implement effective preventative and protective measures, alongside appropriate supervision. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 provide clear guidance on these responsibilities, emphasising the importance of a proactive approach to safety.
Detailed HSE guidance on safe work at height further underscores the necessity of planning and executing such tasks with the utmost care. It highlights the critical role of using suitable work equipment and implementing effective control measures to prevent falls, which remain a leading cause of serious injury and fatalities in the construction sector. JLM Solutions Limited, based in Elliott Street, Manchester, pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them.
This story was originally published by HSE Media Centre.
