A scaffolding company has been fined after a worker fell from the roof of a barn and suffered life-changing injuries.

Hemel Hempstead Scaffolding Limited of Seymour Crescent, Hemel Hempstead pleaded guilty to breaching section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act, 1974.

It was fined £110,000 with £22,596 in costs.

St Albans Crown Court heard how Stewart Thomas, 31, was carrying out preparatory work for the company before the installation of solar panels on a barn roof at Gaddesden Home Farm, Bridens Camp on 25 July 2013.

The father-of-one was placing scaffold boards along the roof ridge when he fell through the fragile roof eight metres to the concrete below.


He suffered multiple injuries to his head and neck, including a brain stem injury, a punctured lung, broken ribs and a lacerated liver.

As a result, Mr Thomas is now unable to talk, move or feed himself and requires residential care.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Hemel Hempstead Scaffolding Limited had never provided a written method statement or risk assessment for the work.

In addition, there was no fall protection measures in place, and there was also no appropriate supervision of inexperienced and trainee scaffolders on the site.

HSE Inspector Stephen Manley said: "The company's approach to health and safety was poor. They failed to properly and safely plan the work they were contracted to carry out and failed to supervise inexperienced young workers. The particular works would have been unfamiliar to the team and so the lack of thorough supervision was lamentable.

"As a result of their failings a young father has been left being unable to communicate or look after himself and he will never be able to play with his young daughter.

"When working at height, there is a high likelihood of serious injury or death if safe procedures are not put in place and adequate steps taken to ensure they are followed."

(LM/MH)