AJ Riley Landscapes and Building Limited has been fined £20,000 after a worker suffered multiple fractures falling through a fragile barn roof. The HSE found the company failed to adequately plan the work or train staff on risk assessment controls.

By James Whitaker · Published 6 November 2026 · 2 min read

A Lancashire construction firm has been fined £20,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries falling 10 metres through a fragile barn roof. Josh Huddleston, 47, fractured his ribs, vertebrae and pelvis during the incident on 24 February 2025, according to the Health and Safety Executive.

Background

Huddleston was replacing a damaged skylight when the roof gave way. An investigation by the HSE found that AJ Riley Landscapes and Building Limited failed to adequately plan the work. The regulator also noted that workers had not received sufficient training to use the control measures identified in the company risk assessment. The firm 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.

Industry implications

The £20,000 fine, alongside £4,955 in costs, highlights the financial and legal consequences of inadequate height safety planning. Falls from height remain a leading cause of workplace fatalities in the UK construction sector. The prosecution demonstrates that the HSE will penalise companies that fail to translate written risk assessments into practical site controls.

What contractors should do now

Employers must ensure all work at height is properly planned, supervised and executed by competent personnel. Site managers need to verify that workers are actively trained on the specific control measures listed in the risk assessment. Contractors working on fragile surfaces must implement suitable measures to prevent falls, as required by HSE guidance.

Analysis

This case exposes a common compliance gap where risk assessments exist on paper but fail in practice due to a lack of worker training. HSE inspector Matthew Shepherd stated that the risks of working on fragile roofs are well known. He added: "This incident could have been prevented through proper planning, risk assessment and the implementation of effective control measures."

What happens next

The HSE is expected to maintain its strict enforcement stance on height safety breaches throughout 2026. Contractors should anticipate rigorous site inspections focusing on fragile roof work and the practical application of method statements.

Sources