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PHW · Construction · 2026-07-09

Varcity Living Limited fined £50,000 after an apprentice was fatally crushed by falling boards

Bangor · Llandudno Magistrates' Court

What happened

An 18-year-old apprentice joiner was working alone at a residential property undergoing renovation when a stack of 28 unsecured wooden boards, each weighing up to 30kg, fell and fatally crushed her. The company had no lone working policy, inadequate supervision and no safe storage procedure for materials.

Injuries: Fatal crushing injuries to the neck

The breach

Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (company); Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (director)

The sentence

  • Fine: £50,000
  • Costs: £10,080
  • Other sentence: Director: 26 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years
HSE inspector

“Apprentices should not be working alone on a construction site, and she died in circumstances which should never have been able to happen.”

What would have prevented it

Young or inexperienced workers must never be left alone on site without supervision, and materials must always be stored and secured safely.

How PHW helps

The machines, packs and quizzes that fit this kind of site.

Sector

Training and H&S evidence for construction sites

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Quiz

Could you show a site manager today, in writing, that each operator is authorised to use your machines?

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Source: HSE press release, Property management company fined and managing director handed suspended sentence after death of teenage apprentice