CCTV footage showing the moment a scaffolder fell through a warehouse roof skylight has been released by the Health and Safety Executive.
The video captures James Cranswick, 26, stepping onto a skylight while working on the roof of a warehouse in Keighley, West Yorkshire.
Seconds later, he falls more than 6 metres through the roof, landing on a pallet truck before hitting the concrete floor below.
Mr Cranswick suffered head lacerations, a broken arm and a broken leg.
HSE described the footage as “harrowing” and said Mr Cranswick was “lucky to be alive”.
Fall happened during edge protection work
Mr Cranswick was working for Clover Access Systems Limited at the time of the incident.
He was part of a team installing temporary scaffolding edge protection at the warehouse unit when the fall happened.
An HSE investigation found that Clover Access Systems Limited and STM360 Limited had failed to properly plan, manage and monitor the work being carried out by scaffolders on the roof.
The regulator said there were no measures in place to prevent workers falling from the edge of the unit or through fragile parts of the roof.
The skylights were described as almost invisible to Mr Cranswick, who was unaware of the fragile elements on the roof.
HSE warns over fragile roof work
HSE said the risks linked to fragile surfaces are well known across construction.
Its roof work guidance sets out a clear hierarchy for those in control of work at height. The first step is to avoid the need to access fragile roofs wherever possible.
Where access cannot be avoided, suitable protection must be used to prevent falls through fragile materials.
Two companies fined
Clover Access Systems Limited pleaded guilty to breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
The company was fined £26,000 and ordered to pay £2,866 in costs at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 4 June 2026. HSE said the company is now in liquidation.
STM360 Limited pleaded guilty to breaching the same regulations. It was fined £53,300 and ordered to pay £3,167 in costs.
HSE inspector Shauna Halstead said: “Mr Cranswick is lucky to be alive after this incident.
“His fall was wholly avoidable; the risks associated with work on, or around fragile surfaces are well-known, and HSE guidance is available to assist companies in complying with the law.
“Everyone working in construction should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take enforcement action where roof work is not properly managed, as workers should not be needlessly put in harm’s way.”
