Firm fined £183,000 over death of worker in roof fall

A firm has been fined £183,000 after a worker who was cleaning guttering died after falling through the roof of a warehouse in Edinburgh.

Ipsum Drainage Limited admitted an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act by failing to carry out a risk assessment or put adequate safety measures in place prior to Ross Hanratty's death in October 2022.

An investigation by found the company, based in Hillington Park, near Glasgow, failed to identify "fragile sections" of the roof on the Seafield Industrial Estate before Hanratty, 28, fell 24 feet from the roof.

Ipsum has been contacted for comment.

The probe was carried out jointly between City of Edinburgh Council and Police Scotland.

The council's regulatory committee convener, councillor Neil Ross, described the incident as a "tragic accident that could have been prevented".

During their investigation, they found Hanratty was "new to his job" and had "no previous experience working at heights".

He was wearing a harness when working alone on the roof on the morning of 27 October 2022. However, the harness was not connected.

Hanratty fell through a section of roof on top of the Rembrand Timber warehouse, which was not part of the job Ipsum was contracted to work on.

The investigation found Hanratty had "not been informed of this" by Ipsum and was unaware of the section he was supposed to be working on.

He died as a result of his injuries.

Hanratty's family received a six-figure compensation payout after settling a civil action with Ipsum in February 2025.

His mother, Marion, said Ipsum's admission meant the "truth had its day".

She said: "The last three -and-a-half years have been hellish for all of us but the conviction of Ipsum means we now have justice for Ross.

"Since his death we have remained silent as people shared baseless speculation online and throughout the community on the causes of his fatal accident - we are therefore pleased the facts can be confirmed.

"We can now focus on creating a more positive future where memories of Ross can be shared with a smile."

Council convener Neil Ross extended the local authority's sympathies to Hanratty's family.

"Mr Hanratty was not provided with the necessary safety information, instruction, and equipment to keep him safe whilst working at height," he said.

"Falls from height are the most common cause of death and serious injury to people at work. Falls through fragile roofing materials account for many of these deaths.

"These incidents can be prevented if reasonably practicable measures are put in place to protect workers," he added.