Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that on 4 May 2020, Mughal Construction Limited had been carrying out a loft conversion when it collapsed, causing workers to flee from the site.

The building had insufficient temporary supports and workers did not have sufficient skills, knowledge and experience, to carry out the work safely.

An HSE investigation found that the company had failed to properly plan, manage, and monitor the work. It had failed to provide adequate health and safety measures to prevent the risk of collapse at the property including sufficient measures to ensure it remained safe and stable.

Mughal Construction of  Manchester pleaded guilty to breaching safety regulations and was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,000.

HSE inspector, Phil Redman, said after the hearing: “This was a very serious incident, and it is fortunate nobody was injured as a result of the collapse.

“Where contractors fail to take suitable and sufficient precautions whilst carrying out structural alterations HSE will take appropriate action including prosecution.”