Brighton Magistrates Court heard how, on 15 August 2019, Darren Barnett was dismantling temporary over-roof scaffolding at a site in Hailsham, East Sussex, when he fell through the scaffolding landing on to the roof of the property below, before rolling down and on to the ground.

An HSE investigation found Zendrill Ltd had failed to properly plan the works in respect of giving consideration to how the temporary over roof should be dismantled safely.

Barnett was only provided with a single lanyard harness that was not suitable for such works, rather than a twin lanyard harness.

Zendrill Ltd of Gillingham, Kent pleaded guilty to breaching safety regulations and was fined £16,667 and ordered to pay costs of £6,767 and a victim surcharge of £170.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Ross Carter said: “The case highlights the importance of following industry guidance in order to design and dismantle scaffolding in a safe manner with the correct equipment made available to those undertaking the work.

“If a suitable safe system of work had been in place prior to the incident, the life changing injuries sustained by Mr Barnett would have been prevented.”