PHW

Home / Real cases / A self-employed demolition contractor in Ashford

PHW · Working at height · 2026-01-30

A self-employed demolition contractor in Ashford sentenced after a worker fell through an unprotected roof opening and died

Ashford, Middlesex · Staines Magistrates' Court

What happened

A self-employed contractor hired a 19 year old to help demolish a garage roof. While the teenager was removing roof tiles he fell through an unprotected opening in the roof.

Injuries: The worker suffered severe head injuries and died five weeks later.

The breach

Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

The sentence

  • Other sentence: 12 months imprisonment
HSE inspector

“a self-employed demolition contractor in Ashford failure to put in place basic safety measures has cost a young man his life.”

What would have prevented it

Roof openings must be identified and protected before any work at height begins, even on small domestic demolition jobs.

How PHW helps

The machines, packs and quizzes that fit this kind of site.

Sector

Training and H&S evidence for construction sites

View →
Safety pack

Working at height

View →
Safety pack

Garage and Workshop Safety

View →
Quiz

Could you show a site manager today, in writing, that each operator is authorised to use your machines?

View →

Source: HSE press release, Contractor jailed after kind-hearted teen fell to death during demolition works