URGENT UPDATE: A construction company has been fined £33,500 following a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a worker who fell through a skylight in Farnborough. Skyladder Construction Limited pleaded guilty to serious breaches of safety regulations after the fatal fall of Bhakta Rai on July 20, 2022.
Officials from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirmed that this incident underscores the critical importance of workplace safety. The case, heard at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on October 31, 2023, revealed alarming details about the lack of safety measures at the construction site. Rai fell approximately 2.5 meters through an unprotected skylight opening while assisting in covering the roof with tarpaulin.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that after the fall, Mr. Rai was transported to the hospital in a van, as no ambulance was called for immediate medical assistance. He succumbed to his injuries days later, suffering from severe trauma including a spinal fracture and a fractured skull.
The HSE’s investigation highlighted that Skyladder Construction failed to implement necessary safety precautions around the skylight and the building’s edges, which could have prevented this tragic accident. Inspector Jenny Morris emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Falls when working at height remain the most common kind of workplace fatality, accounting for around a quarter of all worker deaths. This was a wholly avoidable incident.”
The company was also fined an additional £8,472 in costs and a victim surcharge of £2,000. This case serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing safety challenges in the construction industry, particularly concerning work at height.
As workplace safety continues to draw scrutiny, authorities are urging all construction companies to reassess their safety protocols and ensure compliance with regulations to prevent further tragedies. This incident exemplifies the urgent need for stringent safety measures to protect workers at risk.
For updates on this developing story and more news on workplace safety, stay tuned.
