A construction firm owner has been sentenced along with his company over the death of a worker.

After pleading guilty, Peter Mawson, owner of building and joining firm, Peter Mawson Ltd, was given an eight month suspended prison sentence, along with 200 hours of unpaid work and costs of £31,504.  

The firm, which pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter in December, was fined £200,000 for the offence and £20,000 for the Health and Safety Breach after 42-year-old Jason Pennington died after falling through a skylight, whilst working on the roof.

Chris Hatton, the investigation inspector at the Health and Safety Executive, said that Jason’s loss of life was down to the firm not ensuring the safety of its workers.

“Jason tragically lost his life because the company that employed him did nothing to make sure he was safe while he worked on a fragile roof,” said Chris.

“Peter Mawson knew the clear panels on the roof weren’t safe to walk on but neither he nor his company provided any equipment to prevent workers falling to their death.

“If scaffolding or netting had been fitted under the fragile panels, or covers had been fitted over them, then Jason would still be here today.”

Emergency services were called to the incident at West Cumberland Farmers LTD, Lindal, Ulverston, on the 25th October 2011, following a report that a man had fallen through a roof.

Mr Pennington fell approximately 7.6 meters onto a concrete floor and died shortly after arriving at Furness General Hospital.

DS Paul Yates of Cumbria Constabulary said that he hopes this decision gives Mr Pemberton’s family closure and it serves as a warning to other businesses about the importance of health and safety.

“This has been a long and complex investigation, and we have worked closely with the Health and Safety Executive to establish what happened on that tragic day,” said DS Yates.

“I hope that this case serves as a warning to other businesses in Cumbria that health and safety measures are extremely important, and if not implemented correctly can result in devastating consequences.

“Our thoughts remain with the family of Mr Pennington at this difficult time. Hopefully the sentencing today will provide some sort of closure, and they can be left to grieve in peace.”

Peter Mawson was also given a publicity order to advertise, for a set time period, what happened on the company’s website, as well as to take out a half page spread in the local newspaper.