Boss in court after worker falls 13ft from roof

A business owner has been given a suspended prison sentence after a worker fell 13ft (4m) through a roof on to a concrete floor leaving him with life-changing injuries.

The employee suffered a fractured skull and cheekbone, a fractured leg and a broken wrist at an industrial estate in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

He was working alone when he went through the fragile roof on 12 August 2023.

Daniel Jenner, trading as Jenner Roofing and Building Services, pleaded guilty at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court to breaching the Work at Heigh Regulations 2005. He was sentenced on 21 January to eight months in prison, suspended for a year.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said he failed to put measures in place that would mitigate the distance and the impact of the fall.

Sophie Neale, HSE lead inspector, said: "This was a tragic but avoidable incident.

"Had suitable control measures been implemented, this incident would not have occurred."

Jenner was also ordered to pay £500 in costs, carry out 280 hours of unpaid work and pay £187 to fund victim services.

The HSE said working at height remained one of the "leading causes of workplace injury and death".

It has a guide on working safely at height and managing construction activities.

The BBC has been unable to contact Jenner for a response.

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