Lessons from Recent Construction Safety Failures — Why Proactive Site Audits Matter

The construction industry continues to be one of the highest-risk sectors in the UK. Despite robust legislation such as the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) and the Work at Height Regulations 2005, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) still reports dozens of serious injuries and fatalities every year. While these incidents are often preventable, they tend to arise from the same underlying issues — poor planning, weak supervision, and inadequate safety checks.

At Armadillo Safety Solutions, we see first-hand how easily small gaps in compliance can lead to major incidents. Our mission is to help construction businesses stay compliant, reduce risk, and protect their people. In this article, we explore a recent real-life HSE case and highlight the lessons it offers — along with how proactive auditing, like our Shield Audit, can help prevent similar situations.

A Real Case: Demolition Firm Fined After Worker Seriously Injured in Fall from Height

In May 2023, a 42-year-old worker, Mr Sylwester Zdunczyk, fell around six metres through a roof opening during demolition work on a vacant warehouse in Aberdeen. The hole had been surrounded by crowd-control barriers, but they were not attached to the roof surface. There were no additional safety measures such as covers, guardrails, or fall arrest systems.

As the worker carried aluminium sheets backward toward one of the openings, his footing slipped, the barrier shifted, and he fell through the exposed hole onto the concrete floor below. He suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured pelvis and broken ribs, which had a lasting impact on his mobility and quality of life.

An HSE investigation found that the employer, Lawrie (Demolition) Limited, had failed to properly plan or supervise the work and had not implemented sufficient fall protection. The company was fined £40,562.50 for breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSE, June 2025).

Key Lessons from the Case

This incident demonstrates how even when some control measures appear to be in place, they may be ineffective if not properly designed, installed, or checked. Barriers that aren’t fixed securely can give a false sense of safety. The lack of a robust risk assessment, poor supervision, and the absence of ongoing monitoring all contributed to the accident.

Every worksite involving height should have clear, specific, and regularly reviewed RAMS (Risk Assessments and Method Statements). Supervisors should verify that all control measures — including barriers, covers, and personal protective equipment — remain effective throughout the project. Regular site audits and inspections are critical for spotting issues before they turn into serious risks.

How a Shield Audit Could Have Prevented It

Armadillo’s Shield Audit process is designed to identify precisely these kinds of gaps before they cause harm. During a Shield Audit, our safety specialists visit your site to review physical controls, site documentation, and staff competence. We assess compliance with CDM 2015, verify that risk assessments and method statements are appropriate, and check that fall prevention systems are correctly implemented.

Importantly, we don’t just flag issues — we provide a clear action plan with priority ratings and practical steps to correct them. Regular audits like this ensure that controls remain effective and that your workforce operates safely and confidently. It’s a proactive, preventive approach that saves businesses from costly fines, downtime, and, most importantly, injuries.

The Importance of Supervision and Subcontractor Coordination

Another recurring theme in recent HSE cases is poor coordination between contractors and subcontractors. Too often, communication breaks down, RAMS aren’t shared, or supervision is unclear. This creates confusion on-site and increases the likelihood of incidents. Tools like The Compliance Bot make it easier to manage these interactions, share documentation, and track actions in real time, giving site managers full visibility of their compliance status.

Building a Safer Future

Every incident in the construction sector reinforces a simple truth: prevention is better than reaction. Regular independent audits, clear documentation, and strong site supervision are essential parts of a safe working environment. By embedding a proactive safety culture and using tools that make compliance simple, companies can significantly reduce their risk of incidents and enforcement action.

If you’d like to make sure your sites meet every legal requirement and your teams go home safely at the end of the day, Armadillo Safety Solutions can help. Our Shield Audit provides the assurance, insight, and support your business needs to stay compliant and protected.

📞 Contact us today to arrange your next site audit.📧 Visit: Shield Audit: Health & Safety Site Inspections | Armadillo UK