A construction company and its director have been fined after members of the public alerted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to workers carrying out unsafe roof work in central London.
B&O Developers Ltd and director Sanjay Swaminarayan were prosecuted following work on the extension and refurbishment of what is now the Kings Cross Express Inn on Kings Cross Road.
In January 2024, members of the public sent photographs to HSE showing people working on the roof without measures such as edge protection to prevent falls. There was also no safe means of accessing the roof, with operatives pictured standing on a makeshift platform balanced on a stepladder.
HSE found there were no controls to prevent subcontracted workers falling from height on at least two separate dates. This was despite the roofing subcontractor’s risk assessment identifying measures including scaffolding around the roof as necessary.
HSE had previously responded to concerns from the public and occupants of neighbouring buildings and taken enforcement action. Inspectors had also met Swaminarayan to discuss improving management arrangements, but a further report of unsafe roof work was received in January 2024.
Falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace death and injury, accounting for more than a quarter of work-related deaths in 2025/26.
HSE guidance states that roof work requires, as a minimum, safe access and a safe place to work. For sloping roofs, this will usually require full edge protection on all elevations where access is needed, including gable ends.
B&O Developers pleaded guilty to breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £4,020 plus a £1,608 surcharge.
Swaminarayan pleaded guilty to an offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £2,300, ordered to pay an £1,108 surcharge and £8,000 costs.
HSE inspector Lucy Ellison-Dunn said: “The working practices of both the company and Swaminarayan put lives at risk.
“Despite repeated assurances to improve work practices, he failed to ensure that suitable controls were in place to prevent falls and did not properly supervise those he employed to manage and carry out the work.
“I would like to thank those concerned members of the public who got in touch with HSE to let us know.
“We will always take action against those that fail to protect the lives of workers.”