Firm fined £50k after death from fall through unglazed window
Summary
A construction company has been fined £50,000 after a labourer died following a fall through an unglazed window opening at a redevelopment site in New Malden, London. The Health and Safety Executive said the risk could have been controlled with boarding or additional guard rails, and that required weekly scaffolding inspections had not been carried out.
Why it matters
The case underlines the importance of fall prevention, temporary works control and inspection regimes on live construction sites, including mixed-use residential schemes. Surveyors involved in site inspections, project monitoring or defect reporting should note the enforcement focus on unmanaged openings and scaffold safety.
Key points
- Worker fell more than 3 metres through an unglazed window void from a scaffolding platform.
- HSE said protective boarding or internal guard rails should have been installed sooner.
- Weekly scaffolding inspections were not carried out after 5 July 2022.
- Lima Construction Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching CDM 2015 Regulation 13(1).
- The company was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay £11,347 in costs.
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