Sibbasbridge Limited, a construction company, has been fined £16,000 after a worker sustained life-changing injuries following a fall from height at a residential property in Leamington Spa. The incident, which occurred on 16 July 2024, saw 65-year-old bricklayer Nicholas Crow fall approximately 2.6 metres through an unguarded opening, resulting in severe head trauma and a stroke. The company was also ordered to pay £7,638 in costs.
Bricklayer falls 2.6 metres due to inadequate safety measures
Mr Crow was working at a domestic property on Binswood Avenue, Leamington Spa, helping to install new steps when the incident took place. Railings had been removed the previous day to facilitate the removal of old steps, leaving an unprotected gap in a balustrade. While carrying out his duties, Mr Crow fell through this opening into a basement lightwell below, landing on the floor.
The consequences of the fall have been profound for Mr Crow and his family. He now experiences significant difficulties with writing and holding objects, requires occasional use of a wheelchair due to mobility issues, and suffers from speech and memory impairments. His wife, Sarah, conveyed the deep impact of the incident, describing how her husband’s “best years have been taken away from him” and the daily “living grief” experienced by the family. She spoke of the immense loss of his steadfast love and support, highlighting the profound personal cost of the workplace accident.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Sibbasbridge Limited had failed to implement suitable and sufficient measures to prevent a fall from height. Crucially, the company had not produced a task-specific risk assessment or method statement for the work being undertaken. Furthermore, no scaffolding or other protective measures were in place to safeguard employees before they commenced replacing the steps at the property. This oversight contravened fundamental health and safety principles for working at height.
HSE guidance states that employers are legally obligated to take appropriate and sufficient measures to prevent falls when work is carried out at height. This includes planning the work, conducting thorough task-specific risk assessments, and installing physical safeguards such as scaffolding, guardrails, or coverings to eliminate or mitigate the risk of falls. The absence of these basic precautions was a critical failing in this case.
Sibbasbridge Limited, based at 175a Evesham Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of The Work at Height Regulations 2005. The sentencing took place at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 29 June 2026.
HSE Inspector Zach Morris commented on the case, stating, “This incident was entirely preventable. Sibbasbridge failed to properly plan the works and put suitable measures in place to prevent a fall. Falls from height are one of the leading causes of workplace injury, and companies must ensure that all work at height is properly planned, risk-assessed and carried out using appropriate control measures to protect workers. HSE will not hesitate to take action against those who fail to uphold these vital safety standards.”
This story was originally published by HSE Media Centre.
