Construction Firm Slapped with £55,000 Fine After Teen Worker Plunges Through Roof Opening
A construction company has been hit with a hefty fine after a 17-year-old worker fell over three metres through a roof light opening. The alarming accident left the young lad with life-changing injuries and unable to continue in construction.
Terrifying Fall at Gloucester Site
On 20 August 2018, the teenager, employed by Mark Holland Group Ltd, was walking across an unmarked, unguarded section of the first floor at a Gloucester construction site when he stepped on fragile insulation covering a skylight. The surface gave way, and he plunged through a gap more than three metres below.
He suffered multiple fractures to his right leg and foot. Despite two operations, doctors told him he was unlikely to work in construction again.
Safety Failures Exposed by HSE
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation and uncovered a catalogue of blunders. The young worker was inexperienced, left unsupervised, and unaware of the dangers lurking on site. Shockingly, there were:
- No signs warning of the fragile roof light area
- No barriers to stop workers from wandering onto the risky flat roof
- No verbal warnings about the hazard
The firm failed to properly plan or manage work at height, putting everyone’s safety at risk.
HSE Cracks Down on Construction Risks
Even after the horrific fall, Mark Holland Group continued to flout safety regulations. The HSE caught several further breaches during follow-up inspections.
Mark Holland Group Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined a whopping £55,620.
“This worker’s injuries were life changing and he could have easily been killed. This serious incident and devastation could have been avoided if basic safe guards had been put in place,” said HSE inspector Laura Banks.
“Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of injuries in the country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.
“Those in control of work at height should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
