Saturday, August 30, 2025
20.8 C
London

The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008  |  U.K. Edition

Firm Fined £60,000 After Worker Falls to Death from Birmingham Church Steeple

- Advertisement -

A specialist construction company has been fined £60,000 following the death of a worker who fell from a church steeple in Birmingham.

David Clover, 64, was employed by Ecclesiastical Steeplejacks Ltd to perform restoration work on the 60-metre-high steeple of St Nicholas’ Church, Kings Norton, on 13 November 2020.

While suspended in a ‘bosun’s chair,’ a work positioning seat, he fell and suffered fatal injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that the bosun’s chair lacked a suitable backup system, such as a twin-leg lanyard fall arrest harness, to prevent falls.

The company, which has since ceased trading but was previously based in Stirchley, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Image credit: HSE

The hearing, held at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 15 January 2025, resulted in a £60,000 fine.

In sentencing, Judge Quereshi criticised the firm’s outdated approach to managing health and safety, highlighting the preventable nature of the incident.

HSE inspector Emma Page expressed condolences to Mr Clover’s family and emphasised the ongoing risks associated with working at height.

“Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of work-related deaths and injuries in Great Britain. We will take action against companies that fail to protect workers.”

Statistics from the HSE show that 50 people died from falls at height in 2023/24. Updated guidance on mitigating these risks is available on the HSE’s website.

This prosecution was conducted by HSE enforcement lawyer Julian White and paralegal officer Imogen Isaac.

- Advertisement -

Popular Categories

Most Read >

Game changing UK-First in Scaffolding Innovation under the Forth Road Bridge 

Layher pioneers its advanced cantilever technique with Hardrock Scaffolding...

SMART Scaffolder to unveil new mobile app at ScaffEx25

SMART Scaffolder will launch its latest mobile app, SMART...

Scaffolding design platform ScaffPlan to feature at Trimble event

ScaffPlan, the scaffolding design and management platform, is set...

Scaffolders Could Down Tools in Heatwave Under New HSE Proposals

Scaffolders could be given the right to stop work...

Scaffolders take on 50-mile run to help colleague’s baby daughter

Two scaffolders from Northamptonshire are preparing to run an...
- Advertisements -

Related Articles >

Scaffolders Could Down Tools in Heatwave Under New HSE Proposals

Scaffolders could be given the right to stop work during extreme heat under plans being developed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The proposals, aimed at protecting manual workers from heat stress, would...

Latest Topics

Shaun Ryder tipped as VIP guest at ScaffEx25 awards

Musician Shaun Ryder is rumoured to be among the...

Leach’s secures exclusive deal to supply Staht Digital Pull Testers to Scaffolders

Leach’s has signed an exclusive agreement to supply Staht’s...

Game changing UK-First in Scaffolding Innovation under the Forth Road Bridge 

Layher pioneers its advanced cantilever technique with Hardrock Scaffolding...

Scaffolders take on 50-mile run to help colleague’s baby daughter

Two scaffolders from Northamptonshire are preparing to run an...
- Advertisement -