An Oldham-based construction company has been fined after a 25-year-old bricklayer suffered serious injuries when the floor he was working on collapsed at a house-building site on Lynn Street, Oldham, in June 2024. The worker fell through the structure along with concrete blocks that had been stored on the upper floor. [press.hse.gov.uk], [hsmsearch.com]
The bricklayer sustained fractures to his right leg, hip and left hand, requiring surgery and a month-long stay in hospital. The incident highlighted significant safety failures on the site and the severe consequences of poor construction planning and supervision. [press.hse.gov.uk], [hsmsearch.com]
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the floor had been overloaded with concrete blocks and had not been built in accordance with the manufacturer’s design. Investigators also identified additional failings, including unsafe scaffolding, inadequate work-at-height arrangements, a lack of fire alarms and insufficient site management. [press.hse.gov.uk], [hsmsearch.com]
Oldham Business and Construction Management Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay £4,883 in costs at Warrington Magistrates’ Court. [press.hse.gov.uk], [hsmsearch.com]
HSE Inspector Karen Farley described the injuries as the result of “fundamental failures” in managing health and safety, stressing that the incident was entirely foreseeable and preventable had correct procedures been followed. [press.hse.gov.uk], [barbour-ehs.com]
Shareable takeaway:
This incident is a powerful reminder that construction safety cannot be compromised. Proper planning, adherence to design specifications and effective site supervision are essential to prevent life-changing injuries. Materials should never be stored in a way that overloads structures, and all work must be carried out in line with safe systems of work. [press.hse.gov.uk], [hsmsearch.com]
