Ace Infra Ltd pleaded guilty after an incident led to employee, Mark Jones, spending a month in hospital recovering from his injuries.

Lancaster Magistrates Court court heard how Jones was sweeping up dust and debris on the first floor of the building at the end of the working day.

Earlier boards had been delivered and laid across a large opening in the floor where a staircase was to be installed.

The boards did not cover the entire opening, and no edge protection had been installed around the remaining gap . There was no signage warning of the danger, and Jones had received no instructions regarding his safety around this area.

While sweeping along the boards, a newly built wall to the left collapsed, knocking him over the unprotected edge onto the concrete floor 2.5 to 3 metres below.

The incident happened on 25 April 2024 at an Ace Infra site at NW Auctions Milnthorpe, Cumbria.

Jones suffered multiple fractures and a dislocated shoulder, spending a month in hospital.

An HSE investigation found that the risk of falling through the gap in the floor had not been addressed, as no preventative measures had been taken. Jones had not been made aware of the risks or the safety measures required. No site supervisor or manager was present when the incident occurred.

Ace Infra Ltd, of Carnforth, Cumbria, pleaded guilty to safety breaches and was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay £4,799.44 in costs, with a £2,000 victim surcharge.

HSE Inspector, Derek McLauchlan, said: “Everyone working in construction has a responsibility to ensure that people are safe. Any work at height is potentially high-risk and requires proper planning and implementation.

“This incident could have been avoided had appropriate control measures and training been in place.  Despite the serious injuries sustained, a fall of this height and nature could have resulted in far worse outcomes. Lessons must be learned from this case.”