Firm fined £50k after apprentice joiner killed
Summary
A residential renovation project in Bangor, North Wales, led to the death of an 18-year-old apprentice joiner after unsecured board materials fell on her. The employer was fined and its director received a suspended prison sentence after the Health and Safety Executive found failures in supervision, risk assessment, training and safe storage of materials.
Why it matters
The case highlights the importance of safe site management on residential refurbishment projects, including material storage, supervision and lone-working controls. Surveyors involved in inspections, contract administration or project oversight should be alert to basic site safety failures that can create serious liability and fatal risk.
Key points
- An apprentice joiner died at a house undergoing full renovation in Bangor.
- The HSE found boards had been stacked upright and unsecured, creating a topple risk.
- Varcity Living Ltd was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay costs after pleading guilty.
- The director was sentenced under Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
- HSE said apprentices should not be working alone and materials should be stored safely.
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