A landlord has been fined after a person sustained significant injuries when they fell from the first-floor landing of an external wooden staircase.

Roger Blessitt was fined £20,000 following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The incident happened in Bristol in October 2023, when a group attended the property for a social event hosted by one of Blessitt’s tenants. 

A 28-year-old man stepped outside and fell when a section of the wooden handrail failed as he leant against it. 

He fell from a height of around 11 feet, landing on the concrete-paved surface at ground level, and sustained significant injuries, including to the head.

The HSE investigation found fundamental flaws in the design of the staircase, including that it was notably rotten, deteriorated and weakened. The investigation also found a distinct lack of inspection and maintenance, determining that the staircase was not fit for purpose.

Blessitt pleaded guilty, was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,522.

HSE Inspector Emma Preston says: “Well-designed staircases, built to standard and properly maintained, play a crucial role in keeping people safe.

“While seeming lower risk, poorly maintained staircases can turn everyday use into a serious hazard. Routine inspections and maintenance are essential to prevent avoidable injuries.

“In this incident, defects to the staircase would have been readily identified and repaired if an effective inspection and maintenance regime had been in place.”