Property Renovation Company Sentenced After Apprentice Killed By Unsecured Board Materials

Brief Summary

An HSE investigation found an employer failed to provide a safe system of work for a lone working apprentice and had inadequate arrangements for supervising work, storing heavy board materials, and managing risks through assessment, instruction and training. The employer pleaded guilty and was fined, while the director received a suspended prison sentence.

What Was The Incident?

During a full renovation of a residential property in Bangor on 20 December 2023, an 18 year old joiner apprentice was working alone. A stack of wooden board material had been stored vertically and unsecured against a wall. There were 28 large dimension boards, potentially weighing up to 30 kg each. No attempt had been made to secure the boards in an upright position and the risk of them falling had not been identified. It is believed the apprentice may have been trying to retrieve a plywood board from the stack when some boards fell and fatally crushed her neck.

What Was The Outcome?

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £50,000, ordered to pay £10,080 in costs. The director pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37 of the same Act and received a 26 week prison sentence suspended for two years, with £7,886 in costs ordered.

Key Points To Consider

Provide safe systems of work before anyone starts. Work such as lone tasks during renovation needs documented safe procedures that address the actual conditions on site, including how materials are handled and controlled.

Control storage of heavy materials to prevent toppling. Board materials must be stored safely so they cannot topple or roll over, including storing boards horizontally on suitable level supports and never stacking on edge without adequate support.

Manage lone working with stronger safeguards. If lone working is allowed, increased training, supervision and monitoring should be in place, alongside procedures to confirm a lone worker has returned safely after finishing tasks.

Strengthen risk assessment, supervision, and ongoing oversight. Risks such as the likelihood of boards falling should be identified and eliminated or reduced through site supervision and suitable risk assessment before the activity begins.

Ensure information, instruction, and training are suitable for the worker. Young apprentices need clear, adequate information, instruction and training for the hazards they face, including safe storage and how to work safely when tasks are carried out alone.

HSE Prosecution Link