A construction worker who fell to his death at a sewage plant was under “undue pressure” to finish his job when he died, an inquest jury has found.

Method statements to be followed by Heckmondwike dad-of-two Andy Parkinson were inadequate and he was not given documented warnings about his unsafe working practices, the jury at Leeds Coroner’s Court also found in its narrative verdict.

Mr Parkinson, 38, of Tidswell Street, died from injuries he suffered in the 33ft fall at Yorkshire Water’s Knostrop works in Leeds.

He was employed by Heckmondwike firm Rhodes Engineering Group Ltd.

It had been sub-contracted by Laing O’Rourke to help construct metal walkways above and around sewage tanks.

The inquest jury heard that despite wearing a safety harness, Mr Parkinson was seen falling on to a concrete surface.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, shortly before 2pm on Thursday, November 13, 2008.

During the ten-day inquest, his boss at Rhodes Engineering, Harry Tranter, had suggested he had taken his own life but the Assistant Deputy Coroner Kevin McLoughlin ruled there was insufficient evidence of suicide.

The narrative verdict returned by the jury states: “Undue pressure was placed on Andrew Parkinson to progress the installation of the walkway on lane 18 on site.

“Method statements were underdeveloped, inadequate and lacked sufficient detail to assess risk on the installation of the walkway on lane 18. “There is no evidence to show that any revision to the method statement was received or approved regarding the work on lane 18 in accordance with site rules.

“The jury believes that on the balance of all probability documented warnings were not given to Andrew Parkinson which would highlight his unsafe working practices.”

Mr Parkinson’s mother Pat welcomed the verdict.

She said: “In the case of it not being suicide we have had it hanging over us for two years, it was such a big relief.

“It’s not a nice thing to have said. I never believed he could have committed suicide, I was devastated enough.

“He was a Peter Pan person, he loved his children and I know he wouldn’t have done that.

“All we’re trying to do is look after our grandchildren.

“They’re going to struggle without their dad.”

James McBride, of Bradford-based Eatons Solicitors which represented the family, said: “This was a long inquest which had to deal with many difficult issues surrounding Andy’s death.

“Andy’s family were appaled at the suggestion that he had taken his own life. Andy was a big man (6ft 5ins) with a big heart.

“He worked very hard, lived life to the full and was devoted to his children. All those who were close to Andy ridiculed the suggestion he would have killed himself.”