A self‑employed contractor has been jailed after a teenager fell to his death during demolition works on a property in Surrey.
Jason Hill had hired 19-year-old Thomas Neate to help demolish a garage at a domestic property in preparation for an extension.
On 16 August 2023, Neate was on the garage roof removing tiles and other materials when he fell through an opening and suffered severe head injuries. He was taken to hospital, but died several weeks later on 23 September.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Hill had put no measures in place to prevent a fall from height.
Work was being carried out directly from the roof with no scaffolding, decking, or other protective systems to prevent a person from falling through or from the structure, HSE found.
Working at height is one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death. HSE guidance is available on working safely at height and managing construction activities that employers are advised to follow to prevent incidents.
In a statement provided to HSE, Neate’s family spoke of their devastation at his death.
“Tom was a kind-hearted and hard-working young man who was such a huge part of so many people’s lives,” they said.
“His loss has devastated us and knowing it could have been avoided makes that loss even harder to bear. His death should never have happened, and while we acknowledge the court’s decision, no sentence can reflect what we have lost.
“We can only hope that this case serves as a warning to others that ignoring health and safety has irreversible consequences.”
Additional safety concerns
During the course of the HSE investigation, other concerns were identified, including the unsafe use of a mini-digger and a failure to stop members of the public from entering the site, indicating broader failings in Hill’s approach to managing health and safety.
The investigation also found no assessment to determine whether asbestos was present.
Corrugated concrete sheets being snapped and removed by hand were later found to be made from asbestos cement – a material commonly found in buildings constructed before 2000.
The investigation found that three other workers were on site who were at risk of exposure to fibres as the sheets were handed down to them, as well as the family whose garage was being worked on.
Before any demolition or refurbishment work begins, dutyholders must assess whether asbestos is present and plan how work will be carried out safely. Step-by-step guidance can be found here.
Hill pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was immediately jailed for 12 months. No costs were awarded.
‘Devastating consequences’
Commenting on the case, HSE inspector Jennifer Lester said: “Jason Hill’s failure to put in place basic safety measures has cost a young man his life.
“The fact that he has been sent to prison demonstrates just how seriously this has been taken.
“Working at height remains one of the most well‑known and significant causes of death and injury in construction, and simple, recognised precautions would have protected Thomas Neate from harm.”
Lester added that even small contractors and individuals working on domestic projects have a legal duty to ensure the safety of workers and members of the public.
“Failing to take these precautions can have devastating consequences, as this tragic incident starkly demonstrates. Our thoughts are with Tom’s family and friends as they mourn their loss.”
