Fines after worker fell from scaffolding

The worker was contracted as a general labourer for Premier Property and Construction Limited on a project managed by Axis Europe Limited at Cathcart Hill, London on 15 April 2024. During an unplanned lifting operation, the load became trapped. When the worker attempted to free it, the released load caused him to be pulled over the edge of the scaffold.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Premier Property and Construction Limited failed to adequately plan, manage and monitor the work, particularly regarding routine lifting operations and the use of appropriate lifting equipment and accessories.

HSE also found that Axis Europe Limited failed to properly manage and monitor the works being carried out by Premier Property and Construction Limited on its site. The principal contractor did not recognise insufficient detail on lifting operations and did not adequately challenge or prevent the use of untested lifting accessories on site.

HSE guidance states that contractors must plan, manage and monitor construction work under their control to ensure risks to health and safety are controlled, with effort proportionate to the project’s size, complexity and risks involved. Further guidance can be found at HSE’s website: Managing health and safety in construction – Guidance on the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 – L153 (PDF) .

Axis Europe Limited, of Tramway Avenue, London, pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £640,000 and ordered to pay £4787.59 in costs and a £2000 victim surcharge at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on 5 December 2025.

Premier Property and Construction Limited, of Kings Lodge, London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent – trading from Thames Industrial Park, Princess Margaret Road, East Tilbury, Essex – pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £160,000 and ordered to pay £4787.59 in costs and a £2000 victim surcharge at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on 5 December 2025.

Following the hearing HSE inspector, Andrew Pipe, said: “Every year, a significant proportion of construction-related accidents, many of them serious and sometimes fatal, occur as a result of inadequately planned, managed or monitored work. This was a wholly avoidable incident. Had both companies taken appropriate measures to ensure workers’ health and safety, the life-changing injuries would not have occurred.”

“The fines imposed on Axis Europe Limited and Premier Property and Construction Limited should underline to everyone in the construction industry that the courts, and HSE, take failures to follow the regulations extremely seriously. HSE will not hesitate to take action against companies which do not do all that they should to keep people safe.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Arfaq Nabi and paralegal officer Mellisa Wardle.