Justice for Family Three Years after ‘Preventable’ Fatal Roof Fall

A Scottish construction company was fined £183,000 after one of its employees died after falling through a fragile warehouse roof.

Ross Hanratty, 28, was clearing roof gutters on two blocks of warehouses for IPSUM Drainage (Scotland) Limited at Seafield Industrial Estate in October 2022 when he fell 24 feet. He was wearing a harness at the time, but there was nothing connected to it. He later died as a result of his injuries.

A health and safety investigation, led by the City of Edinburgh Council in conjunction with Police Scotland, found IPSUM Drainage failed to properly assess the risk to employee safety, in particular the hazards presented by fragile roofs.

The investigation also identified wider failings in the management of work at height on site, including failure to provide necessary information and instruction to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees, in particular to Ross Hanratty about what areas of the unit roofs were not required to be cleaned.

Last February, Ross’s family won a civil action against IPSUM Drainage in which they received a six-figure compensation payment in an out of court settlement.

Contractor Fined

On 19 February 2026, IPSUM Drainage (Scotland) Limited (part of the IPSUM Group), of Hillington Park, Glasgow, pled guilty on Indictment to an offence under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The company was fined £183,000.

‘Hellish’ Three and a Half Years

Ross with dad Frank

Ross’s mother, Marion Hanratty, welcomed the conviction. In a statement via law firm Digby Brown, 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 that the truth can have its day, and the facts can be confirmed.

“But more importantly, we are pleased that IPSUM has admitted its guilt over failings that led to Ross’ death.

“Thank you to our friends and family for your valued support over the years – you all know who you are and you really kept us going through dark times.

“We are now glad that all these legal processes have ended and request our privacy is respected as we focus on creating a more positive future where memories of Ross can be shared with a smile.”

Preventable Tragedy

Cllr Neil Ross, Convener of the Regulatory Committee, said: “This sentence should send a clear message to employers that the council and the courts take a failure to comply with health and safety legislation extremely seriously.

“We extend our sincere condolences to Mr Hanratty’s family and loved ones at this very difficult time.

“This is a tragic accident that could have been prevented. Mr Hanratty was new to his job and had no previous experience working at heights, he was not provided with the necessary safety information, instruction, and equipment to keep him safe whilst working at height.

“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.”

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