A fifty-five-year-old man died following a fall from a height in McLaren’s Paddock Brand Centre whilst carrying out an inspection. As a result, McLaren has been fined £650,000 following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which concluded that the automotive group failed to assess and mitigate the risks of workers falling from a height.
David Oldham, who worked for Zurich Management Services Limited, was conducting a structural inspection of the building used by McLaren’s Formula One racing team when he fell from the upper floors. The building was undergoing structural maintenance when the incident occurred in October 2016.
McLaren was found guilty of violating Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 after a trial at Reading Crown Court. On 31 March 2023, the court ordered the company to pay £650,000 in fines and £110,132 in costs.
McLaren HSE Investigation
Fatal accidents involving workers are predominantly caused by falls from height. Between 2017 and 2022, 174 workers in Great Britain lost their lives due to fatal work accidents, with a quarter resulting from falling from a height.
As with any personal injury claim, it is essential to seek advice and guidance as early as possible to ensure that the person injured, or in cases of fatality, the family of the injured, receives the compensation they deserve.
Solicitor for Accident at Work
Ensuring that a workplace is adequately assessed for health and safety hazards is essential. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or death in the most severe circumstances. All employers have legal responsibility to ensure that their employees are safe at work, and there are strict guidelines that must be followed regarding health and safety standards.
For any personal injury claim, you must seek the appropriate advice to ensure you have the best opportunity to obtain compensation.
At Bridge McFarland LLP, we work with clients nationwide. We are here to advise you on the prospects of recovering compensation from an employer if an accident at work has occurred, including falls from a height.
To speak to one of our experienced solicitors about your workplace injury claim, please call 0800 987 8800 or email info@bmcf.co.uk.
