A builder has been given a suspended prison sentence after he put the lives of workers at risk on a construction site in London.

David Beadle, trading as Beadle the Builders, failed to comply with a prohibition notice issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in relation to unsafe working at height at the site on Woodyates Road in South East London.

Falls from height remain the leading cause of death within the construction industry and HSE has published guidance about how these incidents can be avoided.

A proactive investigation by HSE found Beadle allowed workers under his control on at least three occasions to continue using a scaffold which was not properly constructed. It was a potentially dangerous structure at risk of collapse and in breach of the prohibition notice.

Sixty-three-year-old Beadle also failed to ensure that suitable and sufficient measures were in place to prevent workers falling a distance that would have caused personal injury. No edge protection had been installed to the side of the roof, the flat dormer roof, the front elevation of the roof, and safe access was not provided.

He was given a 26-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months and was told to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

Beadle of Rochester Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulation 2005 and 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.  He was also ordered to pay £6,043 in costs at the hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 7 August 2024.

HSE Inspector Emma Bitz said “We will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those who fail to do all that they can to keep workers safe.

“The risks from working at height are well known, as are the control measures required to reduce those risks.

“Falls from height remain the largest cause of workplace deaths in the construction industry.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Chloe Ward and supported by HSE paralegal officer Rebecca Forman.

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.
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 can be found here.
5. Guidance on working at height is available.

A construction company and a roofing contractor have been fined after a roofer suffered multiple fractures in a fall from a building roof.

Horizon Roofing Specialist Ltd had been appointed by principal contractor – Bromley-based Property Facilities Group Ltd – to originally undertake the installation of a new roof at Aspire Academy in Welling.

Following this, Horizon Roofing were appointed to replace the roof of an existing modular building that was being refurbished, due to the original contractor becoming unavailable to complete the work.

On 29 September 2020, three roofers began work on the modular building roof, and during the work an unexpected flare from a gas gun caused one of the roofers to stumble backwards and fall from the edge of the unprotected roof to the ground below.

The roofer who worked for Horizon Roofing Specialist Limited, suffered multiple fractures to both of his legs which required surgery.

HSE has clear and concise guidance on carrying out roof work safely.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Property Facilities Group and Horizon Roofing had failed to adequately plan, appropriately supervise, and ensure that the work was carried out in a safe manner.

Property Facilities Group Ltd, of Newman Road, Bromley, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. They were fined £14,000 and was ordered to pay £1,619.25 costs at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on 19 January 2024.

Horizon Roofing Specialist Limited, of Langham Road, Robertsbridge, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. They were fined £3,333 and was ordered to pay £1,619 costs at the same hearing.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Gemma Cox said: “Too many workers are injured every year as a result of falling from roofs with unprotected edges. The victim sustained serious injuries which could have been prevented if basic, industry standard control measures had been put in place.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Rebecca Schwartz and supported by HSE Paralegal Officer, Rebecca Foreman.

Notes to editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.