A Wiltshire construction company has been prosecuted after a teenager was seriously injured in a wall collapse.

Simon Jones Restoration and Re-design Limited pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches at Chippenham Magistrates Court today, Monday 4 October.

The prosecution was brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who investigated the incident which took place on 24 August 2009.

Two employees were carrying out refurbishment work to a large domestic property in Chirton, Devizes, which had been in a poor condition for a number of years. They were creating an opening in a lime mortar gable end wall when the wall collapsed, injuring both workers.


The seriously hurt teenager, who does not want to be named, was aged 17 at the time of the incident. He suffered a fractured pelvis, ligament damage to his ankle and chipped teeth.

Mark Renouf, HSE Inspector said: "This was a serious case which could easily have been fatal. The job was complex with a substantial element of temporary works. It needed to be carefully and meticulously planned with the involvement of a competent engineer. Unfortunately this was not done and as a result led to terrible consequences."

The company, of Foxtwitchen, East Kennett, Marlborough, Wiltshire, pleaded guilty to breaching section 28(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and were fined £4,000, with £3,000 costs and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to the injured teenager.

(CD/KMcA)