Lowndes Lumb Construction Limited has been fined £60,000 after a worker suffered life-changing injuries in a fall through an unprotected roof light at a house on Langthorne Street, Fulham, in November 2023. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, and was also ordered to pay £6,070 in costs.
Incident Details
The worker was passing materials through an open roof light during refurbishment work when he fell to the concrete floor below. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that no suitable measures were in place to prevent falls from height, such as scaffolding, guardrails, internal crash decks, or harness systems.
HSE Inspector Lydia Edwards stated: "Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of workplace death and serious injury. The latest HSE statistics show they accounted for around a quarter of all worker deaths in Great Britain during 2025/26. This was a wholly avoidable incident that resulted in a worker suffering life-changing injuries. Had suitable measures been in place to prevent a fall, this incident could have been prevented."
Broader Context
This incident comes weeks after a separate tragedy on a construction site in Acton, where 19-year-old Renols Lleshi died after falling down a ventilation shaft. Lleshi was dismantling scaffolding at the Ark Soane Academy site when the shaft covering—made of plasterboard and roofing foam—gave way, causing him to fall six floors.
The HSE emphasizes that falls from height are a leading cause of workplace fatalities and serious injuries. Employers are legally required to assess risks and implement control measures when working at height, including using appropriate equipment and ensuring all openings are protected.
Legal and Financial Consequences
Lowndes Lumb Construction Limited now faces a total financial penalty of £66,070. The case highlights the serious consequences of failing to adhere to health and safety regulations, both for workers and for companies that neglect their duties.
The HSE continues to investigate and prosecute companies that put workers at risk, urging all employers to take proactive steps to prevent such incidents.
