An Oldham-based construction company, Oldham Business and Construction Management Limited, has been fined £30,000 after a 25-year-old bricklayer sustained severe injuries, including fractures to his right leg, hip, and left hand, following a fall through a collapsing floor. The incident, which occurred on 4 June 2024 at a house under construction on Lynn Street, Oldham, led to the worker requiring surgery and a month-long hospital stay. The company was also ordered to pay £4,883 in costs at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 11 August 2026.
Worker hospitalised for month after overloaded floor collapses
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation into the incident, which revealed failings in the company’s management of the construction project. As the principal contractor, Oldham Business and Construction Management Limited was found to have failed in its crucial duties to properly plan, manage, and monitor the work being carried out on site. This oversight directly contributed to the dangerous conditions that led to the bricklayer’s fall.
A key finding of the HSE investigation was that the floor which collapsed had been overloaded with concrete blocks. Furthermore, it was discovered that the floor itself had not been constructed in accordance with the manufacturer’s design specifications, creating an inherent structural weakness. These critical errors underscore a profound disregard for fundamental safety protocols within the construction process.
The investigation uncovered a pattern of broader health and safety deficiencies across the site. Inspectors identified a range of other serious issues, including unsafe scaffolding, inadequate arrangements for working at height, a complete absence of fire alarms, and a general lack of competent site management. These multiple failings prompted HSE inspectors to issue several enforcement notices, highlighting the widespread nature of the safety breaches.
HSE guidance consistently emphasises that effective management of health and safety is paramount for the successful and safe delivery of any construction project. Principal contractors bear a responsibility in managing the inherent risks associated with construction work. This includes diligently planning, managing, and monitoring the construction phase, ensuring that robust preventative and protective measures are firmly in place, and that appropriate supervision is consistently provided to all workers. The incident at Lynn Street serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences when these responsibilities are neglected.
Oldham Business and Construction Management Limited, located on Bath Street, Oldham, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. This regulation specifically outlines the duties of a principal contractor concerning planning, managing, and monitoring the construction phase. The court’s decision to impose a substantial fine reflects the gravity of the company’s failures and the serious harm caused to the worker.
HSE Inspector Karen Farley commented on the case, stating: “The injuries suffered by this worker were the consequence of fundamental failures to manage health and safety. Our investigation revealed that this was not an isolated failing but part of a broader pattern of poor health and safety standards across the site.” She further stressed the ongoing risks within the industry: “The construction industry remains one of the highest-risk sectors and employers must ensure that work is properly planned, supervised and carried out safely. This incident was entirely foreseeable and could have been prevented had the floor been constructed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and safe systems of work been in place to ensure it was not overloaded with construction materials.”
The prosecution was led by HSE Enforcement Lawyer Arfaq Nabi and Paralegal Officer Hannah Snelling, underscoring the HSE’s commitment to holding companies accountable for workplace safety breaches. This case serves as a critical warning to all construction firms about the imperative of adhering to safety regulations and ensuring a secure working environment for all employees.
This story was originally published by HSE Media Centre.
