A school trust has been fined £32,000 after a site supervisor fell from the roof of a school in Burnley, suffering traumatic injuries.
Robert Baker was working at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School during an inset day when the incident occurred in September 2024. He had climbed up to the roof on an unsecured ladder to collect footballs when he fell from the roof and onto the concrete playground.
Baker was found on the ground by a member of the public and suffered traumatic injuries including bleeding on the brain and fractures to his face, hand and foot.
Since the incident, he continues to experience memory problems, difficulties with speech, and challenges carrying out everyday cognitive tasks.
In a statement, Baker said: “The effects of the subdural hematoma have had a significant and ongoing impact on my daily life. My recovery has been extremely difficult.”
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the roof had no edge protection or other means to prevent or mitigate a fall from height.
Latest statistics from HSE show that falls from height are the most common cause of fatalities in the workplace, accounting for over a quarter of all fatalities between 2025 and 2026.
Romero Catholic Academy Trust, which is responsible for 16 schools across the north-west of England, did not have a standalone work-at-height risk assessment or a safe system of work for undertaking such tasks. It pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act, 1974 and its fine was reduced due to its charitable status.
