Summary
Alchemist DB Limited has been fined £20,000 following the death of 35-year-old labourer Mykhalio Hustei at a construction site in Bovington, Hertfordshire. In October 2021, Mr Hustei, who lived in a property adjoining the site, fell into an exposed excavation hole filled with rainwater while returning home from a night out. His body was discovered the following afternoon. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that the site lacked designated safe walkways, adequate lighting, and handrails, with workers instead using unsecured, slippery planks to cross excavations. The company, which is now in liquidation, was also ordered to pay £5,000 in costs after breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
Analysis
This case illustrates a profound failure in basic site safety management and a reactive approach to risk. The HSE’s description of the site as a “death trap” highlights that the hazards were not subtle; the absence of lighting and the use of “bowing” planks as bridges represent a blatant disregard for established safety standards. The fact that Alchemist DB Limited only installed proper scaffolding walkways and barriers after the fatality suggests that the tragedy was entirely preventable had the company followed statutory guidance from the outset. Furthermore, the company’s subsequent liquidation and its sentencing in absence reflect a common difficulty in holding smaller construction firms accountable, as the business entity may cease to exist before the legal process concludes, potentially complicating the collection of fines and the enforcement of justice for the victim’s family.
Article Link: Construction company fined after man died on ‘death trap’ site – HSE Media Centre