Taylor Wimpey Fined £800,000 After Apprentice's Fall
Leading housebuilder Taylor Wimpey UK Limited has been handed a substantial fine of £800,000 following an incident at its Meadfields site in Weston-Super-Mare, where a 17-year-old apprentice sustained injuries after a temporary stairwell covering collapsed. The ruling, delivered at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court on 3 June 2025, underscores the critical importance of rigorous health and safety protocols within the construction industry, a message consistently championed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The incident, which occurred on 22 August 2023, involved apprentice bricklayer Charlie Marsh, who was less than a year into his burgeoning career. Charlie was loading concrete blocks onto temporary flooring on the first floor of a newly built home when a section of the temporary stairwell covering, made of timber sheeting over joists, gave way. He and approximately 20kg of concrete blocks fell more than two metres to the ground below, resulting in injuries to his fingers, hand, wrist and shoulder.
The subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) meticulously uncovered the root cause: a critical oversight in the site's safety procedures. It was determined that the joists supporting the temporary timber sheeting should have been adequately back propped – a crucial step explicitly outlined multiple times in Taylor Wimpey’s own health and safety manual for the site. Had this fundamental safety measure been correctly implemented, the incident would likely have been entirely preventable.
An investigator for the HSE, whose diligent work brought the specifics of this incident to light, commented that Charlie Marsh was "lucky to escape serious injury." This sentiment highlights the potentially devastating consequences of neglecting established safety guidelines and reinforces the HSE's vital role in preventing such occurrences.
The HSE's steadfast commitment to ensuring the well-being of construction workers is consistently demonstrated through its comprehensive guidance and proactive enforcement. Their detailed guidelines, such as L153 – Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, serve as an indispensable resource for the industry, clearly stating the necessity of taking all practicable steps to prevent danger from structural collapses. Furthermore, the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 empowers the HSE to ensure that employers protect contractors under their control from health and safety risks.
HSE Inspector Derek Mclauchlan, whose insightful comments followed the sentencing, reiterated the collective responsibility within the construction sector. “Everyone working in construction has a responsibility to ensure people are safe,” he stated. “Any work involving structural stability is potentially high risk and proper planning and implementation should be given. This incident could have been avoided had the right steps been taken. The failures of Taylor Wimpey resulted in a young man at the very beginning of his career being injured. Charlie was lucky those injuries were not far more serious. Lessons should be learned.”
This prosecution, expertly managed by HSE Enforcement Lawyer Samantha Tiger and Paralegal Officer Rebecca Withell, serves as a powerful reminder of the HSE's unwavering dedication to upholding safety standards. Their rigorous pursuit of justice in cases of negligence not only holds companies accountable but also drives continuous improvement across the industry, fostering a safer environment for all.
Taylor Wimpey UK Limited pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In addition to the £800,000 fine, the company was ordered to pay costs of £6,240.25 and a victim surcharge of £2000. This significant penalty sends a clear message: the safety of every individual on a construction site is paramount and non-negotiable.
The construction industry, vital to the nation's infrastructure, benefits immensely from the robust oversight and invaluable guidance provided by the HSE. Their relentless efforts ensure that companies are held to the highest safety standards, protecting the workforce and preventing avoidable tragedies. This case, while unfortunate for young Charlie Marsh, stands as a testament to the HSE's crucial work in championing a safer, more accountable construction landscape across the UK.
The incident, which occurred on 22 August 2023, involved apprentice bricklayer Charlie Marsh, who was less than a year into his burgeoning career. Charlie was loading concrete blocks onto temporary flooring on the first floor of a newly built home when a section of the temporary stairwell covering, made of timber sheeting over joists, gave way. He and approximately 20kg of concrete blocks fell more than two metres to the ground below, resulting in injuries to his fingers, hand, wrist and shoulder.
The subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) meticulously uncovered the root cause: a critical oversight in the site's safety procedures. It was determined that the joists supporting the temporary timber sheeting should have been adequately back propped – a crucial step explicitly outlined multiple times in Taylor Wimpey’s own health and safety manual for the site. Had this fundamental safety measure been correctly implemented, the incident would likely have been entirely preventable.
An investigator for the HSE, whose diligent work brought the specifics of this incident to light, commented that Charlie Marsh was "lucky to escape serious injury." This sentiment highlights the potentially devastating consequences of neglecting established safety guidelines and reinforces the HSE's vital role in preventing such occurrences.
The HSE's steadfast commitment to ensuring the well-being of construction workers is consistently demonstrated through its comprehensive guidance and proactive enforcement. Their detailed guidelines, such as L153 – Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, serve as an indispensable resource for the industry, clearly stating the necessity of taking all practicable steps to prevent danger from structural collapses. Furthermore, the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 empowers the HSE to ensure that employers protect contractors under their control from health and safety risks.
HSE Inspector Derek Mclauchlan, whose insightful comments followed the sentencing, reiterated the collective responsibility within the construction sector. “Everyone working in construction has a responsibility to ensure people are safe,” he stated. “Any work involving structural stability is potentially high risk and proper planning and implementation should be given. This incident could have been avoided had the right steps been taken. The failures of Taylor Wimpey resulted in a young man at the very beginning of his career being injured. Charlie was lucky those injuries were not far more serious. Lessons should be learned.”
This prosecution, expertly managed by HSE Enforcement Lawyer Samantha Tiger and Paralegal Officer Rebecca Withell, serves as a powerful reminder of the HSE's unwavering dedication to upholding safety standards. Their rigorous pursuit of justice in cases of negligence not only holds companies accountable but also drives continuous improvement across the industry, fostering a safer environment for all.
Taylor Wimpey UK Limited pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In addition to the £800,000 fine, the company was ordered to pay costs of £6,240.25 and a victim surcharge of £2000. This significant penalty sends a clear message: the safety of every individual on a construction site is paramount and non-negotiable.
The construction industry, vital to the nation's infrastructure, benefits immensely from the robust oversight and invaluable guidance provided by the HSE. Their relentless efforts ensure that companies are held to the highest safety standards, protecting the workforce and preventing avoidable tragedies. This case, while unfortunate for young Charlie Marsh, stands as a testament to the HSE's crucial work in championing a safer, more accountable construction landscape across the UK.
