Story Highlight
– Man fell through rooflight, impaling his leg on machinery.
– Two companies fined over £95,000 for safety violations.
– Incident occurred during over-cladding work at factory.
– HSE found inadequate safety planning and measures implemented.
– Guidance on safe working at height available from HSE.
Full Story
A serious incident at a factory in Keighley has led to significant fines for two companies following a worker’s fall through a fragile rooflight, resulting in an injury. The incident took place on 8 July 2022, during over-cladding work at Cirteq Ltd’s facility located on Colne Road in Glusburn. The worker accidentally stepped onto a vulnerable rooflight, leading to a fall onto machinery below, where he became impaled but fortunately escaped with relatively minor injuries.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conducted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, which revealed a lack of proper planning and safety measures on the part of both A.T. Lee Properties Limited and LJH Property Limited, the principal contractor and subcontractor respectively. This oversight resulted in both companies being fined a total exceeding £95,000 by the courts. The fines were part of a prosecution that highlighted the ongoing risks associated with working at height, which remains a leading cause of workplace fatalities.
The worker, who was engaging in the cladding operation alongside two other colleagues, breached the integrity of the roof by stepping where he should not have. His fall narrowly missed striking another employee operating a machine beneath him, underscoring the perilous conditions present at the worksite. Firefighters were called to the scene to assist in the access and rescue of the injured worker, who had landed on the machinery below.
HSE’s findings indicated that A.T. Lee Properties Limited had inadequately planned the work. Neither they nor their subcontractor had established effective protective measures, nor did they ensure that appropriate tools and equipment were available to safeguard the workers involved in the operation. Additionally, LJH Property Limited was found to have failed in its duties to adequately supervise and assess risks inherent in the work being undertaken.
Courts have now held both firms accountable. A.T. Lee Properties Limited, based at Leardene House in Draughton, Skipton, admitted breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, receiving a fine of £47,783 along with costs of £2,386 at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 1 October 2025. The company director, Neil Cryer, also pleaded guilty under Section 37(1) of the same Act, which resulted in a conditional two-year discharge and an additional costs order of £2,369.
Meanwhile, LJH Property Limited, located in Moorfield Drive, Baildon, Shipley, likewise pleaded guilty to breaches of the same legislation. They were fined £47,818 and ordered to pay £2,518 in costs. Director Luke Hudson received a two-year conditional discharge and a similar costs order of £2,369.
Paul Thompson, HSE principal inspector overseeing the investigation, stated, “People working on the roof and those working below within the factory were placed at serious risk. Had the man just a short distance either side of where he was impaled, this could have been a wholly different outcome.” He emphasised that such incidents can be avoided with proper planning and management.
This event serves as a stark reminder of the risks present in construction and maintenance work that involves heights. The HSE provides guidance for safely conducting such operations, including the importance of preventative measures and appropriate supervision. Companies involved in similar work are urged to review their procedures to ensure they are fully compliant with existing safety regulations to protect their staff.
The HSE is the authoritative body for workplace health and safety in the UK, aimed at ensuring safe working environments for all. Relevant legislative guidelines regarding safety at work can be accessed for further clarification on standards that must be adhered to. It is critical for employers and contractors to take these recommendations seriously to mitigate risks and safeguard their employees effectively.
