Construction firm and director fined after worker injured in fall

A construction company and its director have been sentenced after a worker suffered serious injuries in a fall at a building site in Staffordshire.

The incident occurred on 5 December 2023 during the construction of an apartment block. A 26-year-old labourer, employed by BHG (Stone) Limited, was working on the first floor installing wall insulation.

To access the upper section of a wall, the worker positioned a ladder across an unsecured stairwell opening. While carrying out the task, he fell through the opening to the ground below.

He sustained serious injuries, including fractures to his skull and back.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that the work at height had not been properly planned or controlled. The company had not implemented suitable measures to prevent falls or ensure safe working conditions.

The investigation also found that the company’s director, Alistair Howells, was working nearby at the time and allowed the activity to continue without appropriate safety precautions.

BHG (Stone) Limited, based in Aston-by-Stone, Staffordshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act. The company was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay £4,000 in costs at Telford Magistrates Court earlier this month.

Alistair Howells, 58, also pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37 of the same Act. He was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,386 in costs.

The prosecution was brought by the Health and Safety Executive.