A 30-year-old worker suffered life-changing injuries following a fall from height during a sheep barn conversion in Leyburn, North Yorkshire.
On 11 October 2022, Jack Croft, from Bedale, was installing roof sheets when he stepped onto a fragile roof light, which broke under his weight. He fell from a height of around 6m.
Croft suffered life-changing injuries, including five cranial fractures, 10 fractured ribs, a cranial bleed, hearing loss and fractures to his spine, eye socket, cheek, wrist and shoulder. He also suffered a collapsed left lung and a pulmonary embolism.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Norman Iveson Steel Products, the company Croft was working for, had failed to implement basic working at height control measures to prevent falls from height in this area.
Insufficient skills
The safety netting in place on site did not cover the full work areas and was installed by persons without sufficient skills to rig it.
HSE also found a failure to plan, manage and monitor the construction phase to ensure it was carried out safely.
Norman Iveson Steel Products Ltd, of Hill Crest, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,101 at York Magistrates Court on 22 May 2025.
Phillip Iveson, a director of the company, pleaded guilty to Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 194 and fined £1,822 and told to pay costs of £2,358.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Gavin Carruthers said: “This was a tragic incident where a young man narrowly escaped death but received life-changing injuries. Falls from height continue to be the leading cause of workplace death in Great Britain and this incident was fully avoidable if steps were taken to address the risks.”
