A Staffordshire contractor and its director have been sentenced after a worker sustained serious injuries when he fell through a stairwell opening during construction of an apartment block in Staffordshire.

The injured worker, who was 26 at the time of the incident, had been appointed by BHG (Stone) Limited, the principal contractor, as a labourer. On 5 December 2023, he was assisting with the installation of wall insulation on the first floor of the building.

To reach the top corner of the wall, the worker placed a ladder across the stairwell opening. While carrying out the task, he fell from the ladder through the opening to the ground below.

The fall resulted in serious injuries, including fractures to his skull and back.

An HSE investigation found that BHG (Stone) Limited failed to properly plan the work and did not put in place suitable measures to prevent or protect against a fall from height.

The investigation also found that company director Alistair Howells was working in close proximity to the injured worker and had allowed the work to be carried out in an unsafe manner.

BHG (Stone) Limited, of Staffordshire pleaded guilty to safety breaches and was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay £4,000 in costs at Telford Magistrates Court last week.

Alistair Howells, 58, of Staffordshire also pleaded guilty and was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,386 in costs.

HSE Inspector Sara Andrews said: “This incident highlights the importance of undertaking a thorough assessment of the risks associated with all work at height activities and ensuring suitable control measures are in place.

“Had the work been properly planned and sequenced, and suitable work equipment provided, this incident would not have happened.”