Construction Firm Fined £300,000 After Fatal Site Incident Involving Yorkshire Worker
This post has already been read 100 times!
Martin Dunford, 33, from Pocklington, Yorkshire, tragically died on 23 January 2020 after being crushed by falling concrete blocks at a housing development in Gloucestershire.
The incident occurred at the Ebrington Rise development near Chipping Campden, where 16 homes were under construction by Piper Homes Construction Limited. Mr Dunford was pinned against a lorry loader when two stacked loads of concrete blocks collapsed. One of the stacks had been placed on top of another, which was supported by a wooden pallet. As he walked around the vehicle to speak with the delivery driver, the unstable load toppled onto him, causing fatal internal and head injuries. He died at the scene.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found multiple failings on the part of Piper Homes Construction Limited, the principal contractor. The company had not ensured a level, secure area for material offloading and failed to use pallets in safe, serviceable condition. Additionally, proper exclusion zones had not been established to prevent personnel from entering dangerous unloading areas.
Though Piper Homes Construction Limited went into liquidation in May 2023, the company – formerly registered in Nottingham – pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches. At Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court this week, they were fined £300,000 and ordered to pay £5,236 in costs.
HSE Inspector James Lucas commented:
“This was an entirely avoidable incident and our thoughts remain with Martin’s family.
Proper planning and management of material storage is essential to prevent such tragedies.
Had the appropriate safety measures been in place, Martin would have returned home to his loved ones.”
In a heartfelt family statement, Mr Dunford’s sister, Tracey Hunter, said:
“Martin went to work and never came home. His life was unjustly cut short due to a failure to follow basic safety practices.
He was deeply loved and is missed every day. Today’s verdict marks the beginning of a long road to justice.”
