In a tragic incident that unfolded on 24th February 2021, Dennis Vincent, a 36-year-old father-of-one from Stoke-on-Trent, lost his life in a fatal fall from the roof of a building site in Warrington. Two companies, Inco Contracts Limited and Prestige Security Installations Limited, now face fines totaling over £600,000 following a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation.

The incident occurred as Mr. Vincent and another worker were installing a lightning protection system on an office block being converted into flats. The HSE investigation revealed serious breaches of health and safety regulations, including the failure to properly plan and manage the work, inadequate consideration of safer methods of working at heightand the absence of proper instructions for the workers.

Inco Contracts Limited, the principal contractorand Prestige Security Installations Limited, the contractor in control of the electrical installation package, were found guilty of these breaches. Inco Contracts Limited was fined £600,000and Prestige Security Installations Limited received a fine of £30,000.

HSE inspector Sara Andrews emphasized the importance of proper planning for work at height, stating, “Principal contractors and contractors should be aware that appointing subcontractors with specific specialisms does not remove the duty that they have to ensure the work has been properly planned and can be undertaken safely.”

The tragic incident could have been prevented if the companies had thoroughly reviewed the proposals and implemented suitable controls. The fines highlight the gravity of the safety lapses, serving as a reminder of the responsibility companies bear in ensuring the well-being of their workers.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Dennis Vincent.