Lima Construction Limited has been fined £50,000 following the death of a worker who fell from scaffolding at a construction site in south-west London. The company also incurred costs of £11,347.
Antonio Rodrigues, 55, fell through an unglazed window at the site on New Malden High Street on July 27, 2022. He was working as a principal contractor for Lima Construction on the redevelopment of a former department store, which was being converted into commercial and residential units. Rodrigues fell from external scaffolding through a window void, landing on a concrete floor more than three meters below. He later died in hospital from his injuries.
On June 18, the company pleaded guilty to breaching construction regulations at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Health and Safety Executive inspector Andrew Verrall-Withers stated that the company, which generally maintained good health and safety standards, failed to respond effectively to an unusual situation, resulting in tragic consequences.