Joseph Montieth, who was known as Wes, suffered fatal head injuries when he fell six metres through a broken skylight onto the factory floor below while working at Landor’s Birmingham facility on 27 October 2017.

In a ruling at the end of February, the firm pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005 after HSE found the company’s failure to assess the risks of working at height and the failure to implement a safe system of work were the causes of the incident.

The carton manufacturer was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay more than £12,500 in legal fees. 

Landor Cartons managing director Phil Morley told PrintWeek: “Landor Cartons and its directors are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Joseph ‘Wes’ Montieth.

“Wes was a highly respected and capable contractor who had worked with the company for a number of years and was very much part of the team.  Our thoughts continue to be with all of his family and friends.

“Following the incident, we immediately accepted responsibility for our failings and focused upon working closely with HSE to ensure the ongoing safety of all personnel at our premises.”

Landor Cartons has a second base in Erith, Kent.

After the hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court in February, HSE inspector Christopher Maher said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.

“In this case, the duty holder failed to properly assess the risks and introduce a system of work that could have easily prevented this death. Duty holders have a duty to protect not only their employees but also their contractors.”