In April 2024, the worker was contracted as a general labourer for Premier Property and Construction on a project managed by Axis Europe in London.
During an unplanned lifting operation, the load became trapped. When the worker attempted to free it, the released load caused him to be pulled over the edge of the scaffold.
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An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Premier Property and Construction failed to adequately plan, manage and monitor the work, particularly regarding routine lifting operations and the use of appropriate lifting equipment and accessories.
HSE also found that Axis Europe failed to properly manage and monitor the works being carried out by Premier Property and Construction on its site. The principal contractor did not recognise insufficient detail on lifting operations and did not adequately challenge or prevent the use of untested lifting accessories on site, according to HSE.
HSE guidance states that contractors must plan, manage and monitor construction work under their control to ensure risks to health and safety are controlled, with effort proportionate to the project’s size, complexity and risks involved. Further HSE guidance can be found here.
‘Wholly avoidable incident’
London-based Axis Europe pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The property refurbishment company was fined £640,000 and ordered to pay £4,787.59 in costs, as well as a £2,000 victim surcharge.
Essex-based Premier Property and Construction pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The roofing contractor was fined £160,000 and ordered to pay £4,787.59 in costs, as well as a £2,000 victim surcharge.
Following the hearing, HSE inspector Andrew Pipe said: “Every year, a significant proportion of construction-related accidents, many of them serious and sometimes fatal, occur as a result of inadequately planned, managed or monitored work.
“This was a wholly avoidable incident. Had both companies taken appropriate measures to ensure workers’ health and safety, the life-changing injuries would not have occurred.”
Pipe added that the fines imposed on both companies should underline to everyone in the construction industry that the courts, and HSE, take failures to follow the regulations “extremely seriously”.
“HSE will not hesitate to take action against companies which do not do all that they should to keep people safe.”
