A worker suffered multiple serious injuries after a work‑at‑height incident, falling from a stepladder on 5 August 2021 during renovation works in Islington for Bow Tie Construction Limited. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £24,000 plus £4,101 costs by Southwark Crown Court on 13 February 2026.
Working at height is a major cause of workplace injury in the UK. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers must provide safe systems, edge protection and supervision for any work above ground level.
The HSE investigation identified that Bow Tie Construction failed to implement a safe system of work for working at height during the staircase construction. Wider failings were recorded, including inadequate edge protection, incorrectly assembled tower scaffolds, staircases without edge protection and uncontrolled use of ladders. These deficiencies persisted despite an earlier HSE visit on 2 July 2021 that resulted in a Prohibition Notice for unsafe work at height.
HSE Inspector Emma Bitz said:
“The risks associated with working at height are well known, and this incident could have easily been prevented.
Employers must ensure suitable control measures are in place, safe working practices are followed, and workers are provided with appropriate supervision.
Failure to do so can result in life‑changing injuries, as this case clearly demonstrates.”
The prosecution was led by HSE enforcement lawyer Rebecca Schwartz and paralegal officer Melissa Wardle. The company’s director and acting site manager, Rafael Delimata, instructed the worker and two others to build formwork while the injured employee stood on top of a stepladder using a gas‑powered nail gun.
Work at height – Key Findings
- Worker: unnamed male, suffered crush injuries to both elbows, fractured forearm, dislocated wrists, leg and knee injuries
- Incident date: 5 August 2021 at Islington, London
- Failure: No safe system of work for height; inadequate edge protection, faulty scaffolding, uncontrolled ladders
- Fine: £24,000 plus costs: £4,101
- Court: Southwark Crown Court – sentencing date 13 February 2026
- Breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Prosecution team: Rebecca Schwartz (enforcement lawyer), Melissa Wardle (paralegal officer)
Why This Matters to Employers
Employers have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act to assess risks associated with any work at height, implement appropriate control measures and ensure competent supervision.
Failure can lead to severe injuries, costly fines, court costs and reputational damage that affect future contracts and insurance premiums.
How to Protect Your Business
- Conduct a thorough risk assessment for all height‑related tasks before work begins.
- Brief your team with regular toolbox talks that cover ladder safety, edge protection and supervision requirements.
- Review your method statements to ensure they include step‑by‑step controls for scaffold erection, formwork installation and use of powered tools at height.
- Implement a robust inspection regime for scaffolding and edge protection systems on site.
- Maintain clear records of all risk assessments, toolbox talks and method statements for audit purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What regulations apply to work at height?
The primary legislation is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Section 2(1)) together with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, which require risk assessments and method statements for any height‑related activity.
How much can a company be fined for breaching work‑at‑height rules?
Fines vary by case severity; in this instance Bow Tie Construction was fined £24,000 plus £4,101 costs. Courts may also impose additional penalties such as community orders.
What steps should I take after a near‑miss at height?
Immediately halt the activity, investigate the cause, update risk assessments, retrain staff on safe practices and report the incident to HSE if it meets reporting thresholds.