Company fined after worker dies in first-floor fall

A carpenter carrying out refurbishment work died when he fell through a floor because safety measures had not been put in place, an investigation has found.

W G Carter Limited, of Appleton, Oxfordshire, was fined £120,000 after the death of Richard "Felix" Roper, who fell at a domestic property in Gloucestershire.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Gloucestershire Police found the work had not been properly planned, appropriately supervised, or carried out safely.

HSE principal inspector James Lucas said: "Due to the failings of this company, a man lost his life." The company described it as a "tragic accident that should not have happened".

Roper, a father of two, was working at Manor Barn House in Nether Westcote on 30 August 2022 when the incident took place.

The 59-year-old was replacing rotten floor joists and floorboards, while other workers removed sections of flooring in the same area.

The first-floor structure was stripped back, opening gaps between joists, and some were either missing altogether or had not been secured, the HSE said.

During the work Roper fell from the first floor to the concrete ground floor below, sustaining severe head injuries.

He died in hospital the following day.

"Workers, including Mr Roper, were able to access areas of the first floor where flooring and structural supports had been removed, despite there being insufficient measures in place to prevent falls," the HSE said.

"At the same time, other workers were continuing to remove floorboards, creating and increasing the risk of falling from height."

The HSE served a prohibition notice following the incident, stopping further work until adequate safety measures had been introduced.

Subsequently the company installed floor joists from below and prevented access to the first floor while the work was being undertaken, the HSE reported.

On 24 September the company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 at Bristol Magistrates Court.

It was fined £120,000, ordered to pay costs of £5,247, and a £2,000 victim surcharge.

Lucas said: "Every year, workers are killed or suffer life-changing injuries because work at height has not been properly planned or suitable safeguards have not been put in place.

"Had appropriate controls been in place, Felix's death could have been prevented."

"Our thoughts remain with Felix's family. He was a valued colleague and a much-loved father of two who lost his life in circumstances that should never have arisen."

According to the regulator, falls from height are the leading cause of workplace death and injury, making up a quarter of all work-related deaths in 2025/26.

In a statement, W G Carter Limited said: "We are very sorry that it occurred and apologise unreservedly to Felix's family. Felix was a valued member of our team and is greatly missed.

"Health and safety has always been a key priority for the company and we have taken further steps to ensure that a similar accident does not happen in the future."