Contractor jailed after Surrey teenager dies in workplace fall
The court heard a lack of safety measures led to the fatal injury.
A Surrey contractor has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after a teenager died from head injuries sustained in a fall while working on a garage demolition project.
Thomas Neate, 19, fell through an opening while working on the roof of a domestic garage on Glebe Road, Staines-upon-Thames, on 16th August 2023. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that no safety measures had been implemented to prevent the fall.
Mr Neate was hired by contractor Jason Hill, 59, to assist in preparing the site for an extension. However, the investigation revealed there was no scaffolding, decking, or other protective systems in place, despite the evident risks associated with working at height.
Following the incident, Mr Neate was taken to hospital with severe head injuries and tragically died weeks later on 23rd September 2023.
Jason Hill, of Ashford, Surrey, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Staines Magistrates' Court sentenced him to 12 months in prison on Friday for failing to ensure basic safety precautions that would have prevented the fatal accident.
Mr Neate's family expressed their heartbreak in a statement, describing him as “kind-hearted and hard-working.”
“Tom was a huge part of so many people’s lives. His loss has devastated us and knowing it could have been avoided makes that loss even harder to bear," his family said.
“He should never have died, and while we acknowledge the court’s decision, no sentence can reflect what we have lost.
“We can only hope that this case serves as a warning to others that ignoring health and safety has irreversible consequences.”
HSE inspector Jennifer Lester highlighted the significance of proper safety measures when working at height and emphasised that even smaller contractors have legal responsibilities.
“Jason Hill's failure to put in place basic safety measures has cost a young man his life. The fact he has been sent to prison demonstrates just how seriously this has been taken," Lester said.
She added: “Working at height remains one of the most well-known and significant causes of death and injury in construction. Simple, recognised precautions would have protected Thomas Neate from harm."
The HSE confirmed that even small contractors working on domestic projects have a legal obligation to safeguard the safety of workers and the public.
Mr Neate's death is a stark reminder of the consequences of failing to prioritise health and safety in the workplace.