Roofer Sentenced for Putting Workers’ Lives at Risk

A Cornish roofer has been sentenced after refusing to co-operate with an investigation by Britain’s workplace regulator.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was alerted after workers were seen replacing a roof without any scaffolding in place. An inspection identified unsafe working practices on a domestic property in Cornwall being worked on by Steven Hendry, 40, of Liskeard. HSE inspector Hatti Shipp subsequently served Hendry with a prohibition notice, stopping the work.

Despite this, Hendry failed to provide further information requested under Section 20 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which requires individuals and companies to co-operate with HSE inspections and investigations.

Trading at the time as Apex Roofing & Property Services, Hendry was verbally abusive towards the inspector, ignored the prohibition notice, and continued carrying out roofing work without scaffolding. He also failed to attend court, resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest.

HSE defines work-related violence as any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances related to their work. This includes verbal abuse, whether face-to-face, online or by telephone.

Steven Hendry, t/a Apex Roofing & Property Services, of Marthus Court, Liskeard, pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 20(2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. At Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on 25 November 2025, he was fined £400 and ordered to pay £3,852 in costs. The court also approved an application by HSE under Section 42 of the Act requiring Hendry to provide the requested information by 1 March 2026.

Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Hatti Shipp said:

“Part of our role in preventing injury is to follow up with individuals and businesses that work unsafely, to ensure they are held accountable and that risks to workers are properly addressed.

“In this case, the defendant made it impossible for us to carry out that work and confirm the safety of those employed on his roofing jobs. Not only did he show a blatant disregard for HSE and its legal powers, he was also verbally abusive in the process.”

The prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Daniel Pool, supported by paralegal officer Gabrielle O’Sullivan.