Construction Boss Avoids Jail after Worker Death

THE DIRECTOR of a Leicester-based construction company was handed a suspended prison sentence after a man died following a fall from height while working on a house extension.

59-year-old Stephen Pywell was working under the control of Affordable Lifestyle Design Limited when he fell eight feet while walking on roof beams. He had accessed the beams via a ladder, however there was no edge protection in place to prevent falls.

Stephen was taken to hospital where he underwent surgery, but died several weeks later as a result of his injuries.

Unsafe Roof Work

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that James Pitsillides, the director of Affordable Lifestyle Design Limited, had failed to manage the roof work. This included ensuring that roofing subcontractors, including Stephen Pywell, were not exposed to health and safety risks.

The HSE states that work at height must be properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a manner that is safe. The “hierarchy of control” prioritises collective fall prevention measures, for example: scaffolding with suitable edge protection. If this isn’t feasible, fall mitigation measures like airbags or netting should be considered to reduce the consequences of a potential fall.

In this case, none of these measures were used, and workers were accessing the roof with a ladder and no additional fall prevention measures in place.

Construction Boss Avoids Jail

James Pitsillides pleaded guilty and was given a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for two years. The district judge also ordered him to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £10,000 in costs at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on 7 May 2025.

HSE Inspector Phil Gratton said: “Every year, a significant number of incidents occur in construction as a result of poorly planned work at height.

“This was a wholly avoidable incident, caused by the failure to implement simple fall protection measures. Had the company used suitable work equipment or devised a safe system of work, Mr Pywell’s tragic death could have been avoided.

“Our thoughts remain with his family and friends.”

Detailed guidance on working safely at height can be found here.

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