A labourer, Tommy Brooks, aged 57, had a miraculous escape on March 2, 2022, when a portion of a Victorian building collapsed on him during demolition work. The incident, which occurred at a construction site in Kilburn, resulted in life-changing injuries for Mr. Brooks.
At the time of the accident, Mr. Brooks was tasked with clearing bricks for reclamation at the corner of the building. An unstable section of the roof dislodged, causing a large piece of masonry to fall on him. The 57-year-old sustained severe injuries, including a broken shoulder, 12 broken ribs, spinal injuries, and internal injuries.
Mr. Brooks, a resident of Woolwich, had been employed as a labourer on the site for three months prior to the incident.
MAC Demolition Ltd, a Middlesex-based company contracted for the building’s demolition and soft-stripping works, has been fined £60,000 in connection with the incident. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conducted an investigation that revealed several safety lapses by MAC Demolition.
HSE found that the company had failed to adequately assess the risk of falling objects during the demolition and did not implement or enforce proper exclusion zones. As a result, MAC Demolition Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching construction regulations.
During a hearing at Willesden Magistrates’ Court, the company was not only fined but also ordered to pay £3,229 in costs.
HSE inspector Gordon Nixon commented after the hearing, stating, “Tommy’s injuries were life-changing, and he is lucky to be alive. This serious incident and the devastation it caused could have been avoided if basic, industry-standard control measures had been put in place. Companies need to be aware that we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety regulations in the construction industry to prevent accidents and protect workers’ well-being.
