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Roof collapsed during demolition of single storey school building
A Coroners Inquest has held that the death of a Shropshire builder crushed by a classroom roof collapse was ‘accidental death’
Mark Evans died when the building collapsed at Moor Park School, Ludlow in 2007. He was part of a 5 man team demolishing a single storey classroom.
One witness said: “I felt a gust of wind and felt sea sick. The roof came down on top of us and hit me on the right shoulder and Mark too.”
The school head said: “The school at all times sought to provide a safe environment for those who visited its premises” and “genuinely believed that the demolition of the single storey classroom would be undertaken safely by the contractors appointed.
Following the accident Moor Park has taken steps to further enhance its system for managing building works at the school.”
Comment: It would appear the client appointed the contractors in this case.
This death highlights the requirement for construction clients to take steps to ensure the competence of contractors appointed or engaged. The client must then also take steps ensure suitable management arrangements for the project.
The coming decade should see client duties under CDM 2007 taking increasing prominence led by both proactive and reactive interventions by regulators.