Mark Smith had been working for Willow Services (Southern) Limited on 13 May 2024, where he was re鈥�roofing the house. The 41-year-old had been stripping out internal insulation within the roof space, when he stepped onto an unguarded loft hatch which had not been identified or protected.
He fell approximately 11 feet to the floor below, landing on his back. He had fractured his L1 vertebra and his hip and has been unable to return to work since. His employment was later terminated by the company.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had failed to suitably plan the work at height. The company did not ensure adequate measures were in place to prevent falls and had failed to provide competent supervision of the work.
The investigation also identified that those overseeing the work did not have the necessary training or experience to safely manage construction鈥憆elated activities.
The Waterlooville, Hampshire, company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 at Westminster Magistrates Court, and was fined 拢20,000 and ordered to 拢5,607 in costs at Westminster Magistrates鈥� Court on 30 April 2026.