Mark Smith was reroofing the Wimbledon property in May 2024 when he stepped onto an unguarded loft hatch which had not been identified or protected.

Landing on his back, he fractured his L1 vertebra and his hip and has been unable to work since.

The company, Willow Services (Southern) Ltd, has since terminated his employment.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had failed to suitably plan the work at height.

Willow Services also did not ensure adequate measures were in place to prevent falls and had failed to provide competent supervision of the work.

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Those overseeing the work were found to not have the necessary training or experience to safely manage construction-related activities.

Willow Services pleaded guilty to breaching Work at Height Regulations 2005.

The company was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £5,607 in costs at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 30th April 2026.

“This incident was entirely avoidable and resulted from a failure to properly plan the work and provide competent supervision,” said Laurence Goodacre, HSE inspector.

“Had the loft hatch been identified and protected at the planning stage, Mr Smith would not have suffered these life?changing injuries.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Neenu Bains and paralegal officer Atiya Khan.