In a case that has sent ripples through the UK construction sector, IPSUM Drainage (Scotland) Limited has been fined £183,000 following the death of 28-year-old Ross Hanratty, who fell 24 feet through a fragile warehouse roof while working at height in Edinburgh.
The incident took place in October 2022 at Seafield Industrial Estate, where Mr Hanratty had been tasked with clearing roof gutters on two warehouse blocks. He was wearing a safety harness. But crucially, there was nothing to attach it to.
He fell through a section of fragile roofing material and died from his injuries.
The prosecution followed a joint investigation led by City of Edinburgh Council in conjunction with Police Scotland. On Thursday, the Glasgow-based firm, part of the wider IPSUM Group, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
At the heart of the case was a failure to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for working at height — particularly in relation to fragile roofing materials. The court heard that the company did not implement a safe system of work for gutter cleaning and failed to ensure adequate precautions were in place to prevent a fall.
There was also a failure to provide Mr Hanratty — who was new to the job and had no prior experience working at height — with sufficient information and instruction. Specifically, he was not clearly informed about which areas of the roof did not require cleaning, nor about the specific hazards posed by fragile sections.
Councillor Neil Ross, convener of the Regulatory Committee, said the sentence should send a clear message to employers that failures in health and safety compliance will be treated with the utmost seriousness by both councils and the courts.
He described the incident as a “tragic accident at work that could have been prevented,” highlighting that falls from height remain the most common cause of death and serious injury in UK workplaces. Falls through fragile roofing materials account for a significant proportion of those fatalities.
For UK construction workers, this case is a stark reminder of the risks associated with roof work, particularly where fragile materials such as asbestos cement sheets, skylights or ageing roof panels are involved. Wearing a harness alone is not enough. There must be a secure and suitable anchorage point, a comprehensive risk assessment, and clear instructions on safe access routes and exclusion zones.
A preventable loss
J Morgan, spokesperson for The Workers Union, said: “Ross Hanratty’s death is a devastating reminder of what can happen when proper safety systems are not in place. No worker should lose their life simply for doing their job. Employers must ensure that risk assessments are robust, up to date, and clearly communicated — particularly where workers are new to a role or undertaking high-risk tasks such as working at height.
For UK workers, safety is not optional. It is a legal and moral obligation. This case underlines why proper training, supervision and safe systems of work must be prioritised on every site, every day.”
At The Workers Union, the focus remains firmly on ensuring that UK workers are informed, protected and supported when raising concerns about unsafe practices. Too often, tragedies expose systemic failings only after lives have been lost. In reporting cases like this, it is vital that clear, accurate information about legal duties and worker protections is accessible to those most at risk — particularly in high-hazard industries such as construction.
What this means for UK construction workers
Working at height continues to be one of the most hazardous activities across construction, maintenance and industrial cleaning. Under UK law, employers must:
- Conduct suitable and sufficient risk assessments
- Identify fragile surfaces and clearly mark or isolate them
- Provide secure anchor points where harnesses are required
- Deliver adequate training and supervision
- Ensure new or inexperienced workers receive additional oversight
Search data consistently shows that queries such as “working at height regulations UK”, “fragile roof safety”, and “employer responsibility fall from height” are rising — reflecting growing awareness but also ongoing concern across the workforce.
For employers, this case reinforces that failure to meet statutory duties can result not only in significant financial penalties, but lasting reputational damage. For workers, it highlights the importance of speaking up if safety systems appear incomplete or unclear.
Ross Hanratty was 28 years old. His death was avoidable. And for UK workers, that fact alone must sharpen the focus on safety standards across every site in Britain. The Workers Union extends its sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
