Basildon Crown Court heard how on 25 February 2018 Jonathan Moore, an employee of R4 Industrial Roofing Cladding Systems Ltd, was undertaking repairs on a large warehouse roof in the Port of Tilbury when he stepped on a fragile rooflight which gave way.

He fell more than 10 metres to the concrete floor below sustaining fatal injuries.

An HSE investigation found that the repair work was carried out without appropriate safety precautions in place.

The planning and supervision of the work was completely inadequate, which also put a self-employed worker assisting with the repairs at risk.

Companies House records show R4 Industrial Roofing Cladding Systems Ltd was dissolved in September 2019.

But the HSE applied for a court order to restore the firm to the register which was actioned in February 2020.

R4 Industrial Roofing Cladding Systems Ltd of Wickford, Essex pleaded guilty to safety breaches and  were fined £165,000 and ordered to pay costs of £20,957.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Glyn Davies said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.

“Companies should be aware that unsafe work at height without suitable and sufficient controls in place is not acceptable and HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standard.”