A Devon-based engineer has been prosecuted after a worker suffered life changing injuries when he fell through a mezzanine floor in Totnes.

Russell Soper of Diptford, Totnes, has been fined £2,500 with £6,132 in costs and a victim surcharge of £170 after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Plymouth Crown Court heard Mr Soper, trading as RJS Agricultural Welding, was contracted to install a mezzanine floor in a unit at the South Hams Business Park in Totnes during March 2017.

Derek Mortimore, a 53-year-old self-employed worker, was contracted by Mr Soper to help with the floor construction. While working on the mezzanine floor on 31 March 2017, Mr Mortimore fell approximately three metres through the purlins to the concrete floor below, suffering head injuries.


He remained in hospital for many months after the fall to undergo neurological rehabilitation.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found Mr Soper, as an employer, failed in his duty to ensure the health and safety of his employees and others whilst at work. Insufficient measures were taken to prevent a fall through the mezzanine floor while under construction.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Allison George said: "Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work related fatalities and injuries in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.

"Mr Mortimore's injuries were life changing for both him and his family. He could have easily been killed. This serious incident and devastation could have been avoided if basic safe guards had been put in place."

(LM/MH)