Construction company fined for fatal fall into basement

A construction company has been fined after a chauffeur fell to his death at a concealed basement void in a domestic property undergoing construction work.

Luton Magistrates’ Court heard how, on Saturday 16 September 2017, Mr Bala Singh Koranga, a visitor to the house and not associated with the works, entered the construction area and stepped onto a blue tarpaulin that was placed to prevent rainwater entering the basement. Mr Koranga fell into the void and sustained a fatal laceration to the neck.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had failed to put in place adequate construction site fencing and the site had no warning signs and used ineffective barriers around the concealed void.

SM Builder Expert Limited of Alnwick Road, London pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £5,280 and ordered to pay costs of £3,204.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Koranga’s son said: “My father was always very happy. He was always messing around and joking. It was what he was known for. He is greatly missed.”

HSE inspector Rauf Ahmed added: “This tragic incident could easily have been prevented. Builders need to take adequate measures to prevent unauthorised access into construction sites and prevent persons falling into open basements.”