AJ Riley Landscapes and Building Limited has been fined £20,000 after a worker fell 10 metres through a fragile skylight. The HSE investigation revealed inadequate planning and insufficient worker training.

By Sarah Donnelly · Published 7 November 2026 · 3 min read

A Lancashire construction and landscaping firm has been fined £20,000 after a worker suffered severe injuries falling 10 metres through a fragile barn roof. AJ Riley Landscapes and Building Limited failed to adequately plan the high-risk work or provide sufficient training to its operatives. The prosecution reinforces the ongoing regulatory focus on fragile roof surfaces, which remain a leading cause of workplace fatalities and serious injuries in the UK construction sector.

Background

The incident took place on 24 February 2025. Josh Huddleston, 47, was employed by AJ Riley Landscapes and Building Limited to replace a damaged skylight on a barn roof. During the operation, he fell approximately 10 metres through the fragile roof structure. Mr Huddleston sustained multiple serious injuries, including fractures to his ribs, vertebrae and pelvis.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive identified significant failings in the company's approach to health and safety management. Inspectors found that the contractor had failed to adequately plan the work at height. The company also failed to ensure appropriate control measures were in place to prevent a fall through the fragile surface. Furthermore, the HSE discovered that workers had not received sufficient training to ensure they were competent in using the control measures that had been identified in the company's own risk assessment.

AJ Riley Landscapes and Building Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. At Warrington Magistrates' Court on 3 November 2026, the firm was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £4,955 in costs.

Industry implications

Working on or near fragile roofs carries an exceptionally high risk of serious injury or death. This case highlights the legal gap between drafting a risk assessment and actually implementing its controls on site. The prosecution shows that courts will penalise companies that fail to translate written safety procedures into practical, supervised action. The financial penalty of nearly £25,000 in fines and costs represents a significant impact for an SME contractor.

What contractors should do now

Employers must ensure all work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out by competent people. Before any roof work begins, contractors must assess the fragility of the surface. Suitable and sufficient measures, such as staging, edge protection, or fall arrest nets, must be deployed to prevent falls. Crucially, site managers must verify that operatives have received specific, up-to-date training on how to use the required safety equipment.

Analysis

The HSE has repeatedly warned the agricultural and construction sectors about the dangers of fragile skylights and asbestos cement roofs. HSE inspector Matthew Shepherd noted that the risks associated with these surfaces are well known across the industry. He stated: "This incident could have been prevented through proper planning, risk assessment and the implementation of effective control measures. This prosecution should serve as a reminder to all employers and contractors undertaking work at height that they have a duty to protect their workers."

What happens next

The HSE has stated it will not hesitate to take enforcement action against companies failing to meet their legal responsibilities regarding work at height. Contractors undertaking agricultural building repairs or industrial roof maintenance should anticipate strict regulatory scrutiny of their safe systems of work.

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