A tragic accident at the University of Birmingham site led to a significant fine for Balfour Beatty, highlighting safety oversights.
- On 7th January 2020, a scissor lift accident resulted in the death of Igor Malka and serious injuries to Edmund Vispulskis.
- The incident involved a scissor lift knocked over by an overhead crane due to inadequate safety controls.
- Balfour Beatty, principal contractor, admitted breaches of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.
- The fine imposed was £285,000 plus costs, underscoring the importance of stringent safety measures.
The tragic incident that occurred at the University of Birmingham highlights serious safety lapses within the construction industry. On 7th January 2020, a scissor lift carrying two Lithuanian workers, Igor Malka and Edmund Vispulskis, was toppled by an overhead crane. Both men were installing cladding when they fell 10 metres to the ground, resulting in Malka’s death and severe injuries to Vispulskis.
This accident was caused by the movement of hydraulic equipment by an overhead gantry crane, a process which lacked proper safety measures and communication among workers. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that the disaster could have been prevented with better coordination and safety protocols. Balfour Beatty, serving as the principal contractor, was found lacking in ensuring effective communication and cooperation between the separate teams working at the site.
Further compounding the situation, the absence of a lift supervisor at the time of the incident was a critical failure. Balfour Beatty pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8(1) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. Consequently, they were fined £285,000 with additional costs of £21,768.88 imposed by Birmingham Crown Court in September 2024.
The HSE inspector, Gareth Langston, emphasised the gravity of this failure, stating, “This was a tragic incident that led to the death of a worker with another being seriously injured and still experiencing difficulties today as a result.” He further noted that “Lifting operations must be properly controlled – they must be planned, with plans adhered to.” This statement underlines the necessity for rigorous planning and adherence to safety procedures in lifting operations.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of stringent health and safety measures on construction sites.
