A demolition company has been fined over £40,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries after falling six metres through a roof opening during a project in Aberdeen.
Lawrie (Demolition) Limited had been appointed principal contractor to carry out the demolition of a vacant warehouse.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported that 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. HSE added that 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 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.
HSE said working at height remains one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death. The organisation has detailed guidance on working safely at height.
Lawrie (Demolition) Limited 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.
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.”
