HSE: Adhere to safety regulations when demolishing buildings

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned businesses to ensure safety regulations are in place after a worker was buried in rubble during the demolition of a building.

Three workers were still inside a building in Brent when demolition work began on it with one being struck by a falling wall.

He was partially buried in rubble and suffered injuries to his neck, ribs and shoulders.

Kevin Shorten, HSE inspector said: "During demolition work it is essential to calculate and maintain an exclusion zone, and provide protection for members of the public."

Stephen James Badcock, trading as SJB Demolition & Groundworks, of Bovingdon, Herts was fined £12,500 over the incident which took place back in 2005.

At court the Judge emphasised that the area had not been physically checked and no warning was issued before the work went ahead.

Judge Hone said: "It was a great mercy that no member of the public was injured."

In the last 25 years, over 2,800 people have died from injuries they received as a result of construction work.

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