2 Counties Construction (Midlands) Ltd has been fined £12,000 after a bricklayer fell through a stairwell and fractured his skull
30-year-old Scott Ife from Bridgnorth was employed by 2 Counties Construction (Midlands) Ltd when the incident occurred in June 2020. The company was working as the main contractor of an agricultural barn redevelopment project on Humber Lane in Telford.
How did the accident happen?
Mr Ife and a colleague were laying the blocks to form gable walls as part of a two-storey extension. The employees set up a working platform using Youngman boards on the first floor of the barn.
The property had an unprotected stairwell opening, meaning one of the Youngman boards was left unsupported.
While trying to find the blocks in the gable walls, Mr Ife lost his balance and fell. There were no supports beneath the Youngman boards he fell on, causing him to plummet four-and-a-half meters to the concrete floor below.
Mr Ife fractured his skull and damaged his facial nerves, leading to a three-day stay in hospital.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation and found several shortcomings on the part of 2 Counties Construction (Midlands) Ltd.
2 Counties Construction (Midlands) Ltd were found guilty of multiple shortcomings
These shortcomings included a lack of appropriate measures to prevent falls into the building and stairwell openings.
Issues with inadequate planning, lack of proper equipment selection for working at height, and insufficient site management arrangements were also found.
2 Counties Construction (Midlands) Ltd admitted to violating Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
This regulation states the following: ‘The principal contractor must plan, manage and monitor the construction phase and coordinate matters relating to health and safety during the construction phase to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, construction work is carried out without risks to health or safety.’
The company received a fine of £12,000 and was instructed to cover £4,139 in costs by the Cannock Magistrates’ Court on 21 July 2023. The prosecution was supported by HSE enforcement lawyer Nathan Cook.
“This incident could and should have been easily avoided. Work at height needs to be properly planned and managed to ensure that appropriate precautions are used,” said HSE inspector David Brassington.
“We are fortunate that the injuries resulting from these failings were not more serious,” he concluded.
