Two companies have been found guilty in connection with the death of a man who was killed by a falling window pane from a luxury tower block in London. Mick Ferris was struck by glass that fell from the Corniche building on Albert Embankment.
St James Group was found guilty of failing to ensure the health and safety of workers, while Foster + Partners was found guilty of failing to discharge its duty as a designer. The court heard that St James Group took on the role of "principal designer" in 2015, with a duty to "co-ordinate matters in relation to health and safety." Foster + Partners, known for designing iconic buildings, was responsible for the initial designs of the Corniche.
The prosecution argued that the final design of the window was unsafe, as it opened outwards and was secured by a single metal "restrictor," making it vulnerable to being dislodged by wind. Jurors were told that the developers did not treat the incident of a previous falling window as a reason to revise the design.
Construction workers had reportedly been instructed "not to open the windows at all," and small written warnings were placed near the windows for residents. "Effectively, the designers were hoping the residents would not forget to close their windows," the prosecution stated. The design was not re-examined until after Ferris's death.
Mick Ferris was pictured wearing a West Ham T-shirt.
The Corniche building is described as a modern apartment building with four tall towers featuring balconies.
Police were present at the scene following the incident.
