Balfour Beatty has been penalised following a tragic accident resulting from a scissor lift fall.
- The incident led to the death of worker Igor Malka and injury to Edmund Vispulskis.
- Poor communication during crane operations was identified as a primary cause.
- The company pleaded guilty to breaching lifting safety regulations.
- A fine of £285,000 and additional costs were imposed.
The tragic event involving Balfour Beatty highlights critical safety oversights during lifting operations at a construction site in Birmingham. On 7 January 2020, the incident tragically resulted in the death of a worker, Igor Malka, and severe injuries to another, Edmund Vispulskis. Both fell approximately 10 metres after a gantry crane toppled a scissor lift they were working on, underscoring significant communication failures between crane operators and cladding installers.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the accident could have been prevented with better coordination and oversight. The regulatory body accused Balfour Beatty of failing to ensure a lift supervisor was present, which is mandated by regulation 8(1) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. This regulation necessitates that lifting operations be appropriately planned, supervised, and executed.
In response to these failures, Birmingham Crown Court imposed a £285,000 fine on Balfour Beatty after the firm admitted guilt in court. Additionally, they were ordered to pay £21,769 in legal costs. The company expressed deep regret over the incident, emphasising their commitment to improving safety measures and sharing lessons learned across their projects.
Gareth Langston, an inspector from the HSE, described the incident as a preventable tragedy that had long-lasting repercussions for those involved. He stated, “Lifting operations must be properly controlled – they must be planned, with plans adhered to.” This statement underlines the importance of stringent safety protocols and effective communication on construction sites.
This ruling coincides with a coroner’s recent call for enhanced training for operatives on mobile elevated platforms, in response to recurring fatal incidents in similar contexts. This call for action highlights an urgent need for improved safety training and heightened awareness among construction personnel to prevent future tragedies.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for rigorous safety protocols in construction operations.
