A tragic workplace accident claimed the life of a 38-year-old builder who fell through a fragile skylight while carrying out repairs at a children's centre, a coroner's court has heard.
Lee Stevens, a self-employed construction worker from Aylesbury, was working on roof repairs at the Oak Green Children's Centre in Southcourt when the fatal incident occurred on 17th July 2023.
Fragile Surface Warning Ignored
Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court was told that Mr Stevens had been walking across the roof when he stepped directly onto a skylight that couldn't support his weight. The fragile surface gave way, causing him to plummet approximately four metres to the concrete floor below.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, but despite their best efforts, Mr Stevens was pronounced dead at the location. The Health and Safety Executive has since launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Family's Heartbreaking Tribute
In an emotional statement, Mr Stevens' family described him as "a devoted father and partner who lived for his family". They expressed their complete devastation at the loss of a man who was "always willing to help anyone and would light up any room he walked into".
Coroner Crispin Butler adjourned the inquest to allow the HSE investigation to continue, noting that this appears to be another preventable tragedy in the construction industry.
Safety Concerns in Construction
The construction industry has repeatedly been warned about the dangers of working with fragile surfaces, particularly skylights and roof lights. Industry experts have emphasised that:
- Proper risk assessments must be conducted before any roof work
- Appropriate safety equipment should always be used
- Workers need adequate training for working at height
- Fragile surfaces must be clearly marked and protected
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of workplace safety protocols in preventing such devastating accidents.
