A building contractor has been fined after a worker fell from the roof of a shed during demolition work.

John David McCormick (trading as Trymac Construction), pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 4(1) and 9(2) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. He was fined £2,000 for each offence with costs of £2,147. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120.


High Wycombe Magistrates' Court heard how Kevin Lipscombe, 58, was asked to dismantle an old shed that was by a new build house on 18 December 2014.

However, while carrying out this work, Mr Lipscombe lost his balance and fell onto an adjacent old greenhouse, shattering the glass and puncturing his lung.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found the work had not been planned and there was no protection to prevent workers from falling from height.

In addition, Mr Lipscombe was not given any instructions or equipment to dismantle the shed and there has been no suitable risk assessment carried out before the work started.

(LM/JP)