Demolition began with workers still inside

Feature | HSP
05.02.2008

A Hertfordshire trader who began to demolish a building while workers were still inside must pay £25,000 in fines and costs.

On 12 August 2005, Stephen James Badcock - trading as SJB Demolition & Groundworks - began demolition of a two-storey garage building in Brent, North London, while three workers were inside the ground floor area.

As rubble began to fall down the inside stairwell, one of the workers fled through the open front of the building and was hit by the collapsing front wall. He was partly buried in debris and sustained injuries to his neck, shoulder and ribs.

An HSE investigation revealed SJB had not checked the area or issued any warning before beginning the work.

"During demolition work it is essential to calculate and maintain an exclusion zone, and provide protection for members of the public," said HSE inspector Kevin Shorten. "Demolition is potentially one of the most dangerous sectors of the construction industry and requires very careful planning."

SJB pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 10(1) of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, which requires demolition work to be properly planned and carried out.

On 25 January at London's Old Bailey, Judge Hone fined the firm £12,500 plus the same amount in costs.

He said "it was a great mercy that no member of the public was injured."