A demolition company has been fined after a worker fell six metres through a roof opening during a demolition project, suffering serious injuries.

Lawrie (Demolition) Limited had been appointed as the principal contractor to carry out the demolition of a vacant warehouse in Aberdeen.

On 25 May 2023, 42-year-old Sylwester Zdunczyk was working with a team on the warehouse roof, removing aluminium over-sheeting. The sheets were being carried to pre-cut holes in the roof from where they were dropped to the ground floor. These holes were guarded by steel crowd control barriers secured together with plastic tie wraps – but they were not attached to the roof surface. No other fall prevention measures were in place.

While helping to carry a sheet backwards near one of the holes, Mr Zdunczyk lost his footing. The weight of the sheet and his own bodyweight caused the unattached barriers to shift, exposing the edge of the opening and creating a gap. He fell approximately six metres to the concrete floor below.

Mr Zdunczyk sustained a fractured pelvis and two broken ribs. He was unable to work for six months after being discharged from hospital and has not fully recovered. Previously fit and active, he can no longer run, cycle or play football and now requires pain medication.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Lawrie (Demolition) Limited failed to properly plan, supervise, and carry out the work at height safely. Workers were sent onto the roof without sufficient instruction, training or supervision. The company also failed to put adequate fall protection measures in place.

Working at height remains one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death and HSE has detailed guidance on working safely at height.

Lawrie (Demolition) Limited, of Rigifa, Cove, Aberdeen, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £40,562.50 at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on 12 June 2025.

HSE inspector Muhammad Umair Tanvir said:
“This incident could have been avoided by simply implementing appropriate control measures and safe working practices.

“Falls from height remain the leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries in UK workplaces. In 2023/24, 50 workers died following a fall from height – the highest cause of workplace fatalities. This trend has remained consistent over recent years.”

Further information:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
4. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences in Scotland can be found here.

Grampian Health Board has been prosecuted after the death of a patient in Aberdeen.

Grampian Health Board, also referred to as NHS Grampian, pleaded guilty following the death of 40-year-old Vincent Mulsant at the Royal Cornhill Hospital on 28 March 2020.

The Board is responsible for commissioning health and care services for the residents in the local authority areas of Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray.

Mr Mulsant had been admitted to the hospital on 31 December 2019. He had managed to abscond from the ward in two separate incidents, on 19 and 22 February, which resulted in him being placed under constant supervision.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Grampian Health Board had failed to adequately manage the risks posed to a patient’s health and safety.

Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard how on 28 March, two staff members found Mr Mulsant lying on the bathroom floor. Despite their efforts and those of paramedics in attendance, Mr Mulsant was pronounced dead at the scene.

As a result of this incident, changes have been made to the management of in-patient wards within Royal Cornhill Hospital.

On 8 August 2024, Grampian Health Board pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 3(1) and Section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and were fined £60,000 with a £4,500 victim surcharge.

Speaking after the case an HSE spokesperson said: “This tragic case highlights the need for suitable and sufficient systems to be put in place to ensure that vulnerable patients are kept safe while they are in hospital.”

Notes to editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.