The roof from which a man fell five storeys was "not part of a safe working area", an inquest has heard.

The hearing into the death of Ernie Taylor, 30, was told he was likely to have been on the roof for "work-related purposes".

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said that if work was undertaken from the roof there was a “duty to make safe” the lightwell from which he fell.

Rebekah Dunn, who investigated the case with the HSE, found there was “inadequate edge protection” on the lightwell if work was being completed from the roof.

The inquest heard that items on the roof, including a bag believed to be Mr Taylor's, suggested that he was likely to have been working there.

Mr Taylor, a self-employed roofer, was also asked to take photographs of the work being completed by Damario Asphalt Roofing at Essex house in St Aubyns Gardens, Hove.

The inquest jury heard the angle of the photos taken suggested Mr Taylor was “very close” to the hole that he fell through, with his back to the lightwell.

Gavin Damario, who owns Damario Asphalt Roofing, stressed that he had not told Mr Taylor to go on to the roof to take photographs. Mr Damario said: "He was told to stay in the safe working area."

Stephen Ford, a contractor who organised the scaffolding, said that "for the purpose of the asphalters it was perfectly safe".

Shortly after taking the photos, Mr Taylor fell through the lightwell and sustained fatal injuries.

Paul Damario, an asphalter who worked with Mr Taylor, said: "He was asked to take photos, he wasn't asked to go on the roof."

The HSE found that all work could have been undertaken from the scaffolding around the building.

Mr Taylor fell on September 17, 2020 and was taken to hospital with traumatic injuries. He died three days later, on his birthday, after being placed in a medically induced coma.

Leonardo Hotel, where the inquest is taking place (Image: NQ Staff)

Paul Damario said Mr Taylor was "energetic, very lively and always worked hard".

The inquest into his death, being held at the Leonardo Hotel in Stroudley Road near Brighton railway station, continues.

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