A construction business has been sentenced after a worker died during the construction of a new university building. The worker was 62 years old and had a fatal fall of 10 meters. Another worker was also severely injured. Upon conclusion of an investigation, the incident was deemed as preventable by the HSE, and the primary contracting firm was fined thousands.
The HSE published the following cases study concerning a death at a construction site:
The Incident:
Igor Malka and a second contractor, Edmund Vispulskis, had been given the task of installing cladding at a building in the new engineering hall at the University of Birmingham.
The pair, both Lithuanian, had been operating a scissor lift. The lift was pushed over by a nearby crane, resulting in the pair falling 10 meters. Igor Malka died because of injuries sustained from the fall. Edmund Vispulskis injured his spine and ribs, and spent seven weeks in a neck brace. Edmund had pins inserted into his pelvis and thighs.
The Investigation:
The HSE investigation concluded that incident was preventable.
The accident happened at the facility being built at the University of Birmingham. Balfour Beatty were the principal contractor. Contractors on-site were using an overhead travelling gantry crane to move equipment that had been delivered by a lorry. This was while another team of contractors were installing internal cladding.
The principal duty was left to Balfour Beatty. Balfour Beatty let down the victims by not implementing better controls or improving communication. Cooperation between contractor teams was insufficient, and there was no lift supervisor present at the time of the accident.
The Outcome:
Balfour Beatty were found to be negligent.
HSE inspector Gareth Langston said: “This was a tragic incident that led to the death of a worker with another being seriously injured and still experiencing difficulties today as a result. Lifting operations must be properly controlled – they must be planned, with plans adhered to.”
Balfour Beatty pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8(1) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations. The company was fined £285,000 and ordered to pay £21,768.88 in costs at Birmingham Crown Court.
The University of Birmingham was not prosecuted by HSE.
If you are a construction business looking to better understand duties on site concerning lifts, then please review; Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER).
