Bow Tie Construction Limited was working on a refurb job in Islington when, on 5th August 2021, a worker sustained serious injuries from a fall from a ladder.
The worker was engaged on a refurbishment project in Islington for Bow The project involved converting an existing domestic property and a former handbag factory into a single dwelling. As part of the works, a new concrete staircase was to be installed between the ground and first floors. Temporary timber formwork was required to construct the staircase.
The man who fell, along with two others, had been instructed by company director and acting site manager Rafael Delimata to build the formwork. While standing on the top of a stepladder and using a gas-powered nail gun, he fell approximately 1.65 metres to the floor below.
He sustained multiple serious injuries, including crush injuries to both elbows requiring several surgeries, a fractured forearm, dislocated wrists, and injuries to his right leg and left knee.
An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that Bow Tie Construction had failed to implement a safe system of work for working at height during the construction of the staircase.
Its investigation also identified wider failings in the management of work at height on site, including inadequate edge protection, incorrectly assembled tower scaffolds, staircases without edge protection, and uncontrolled use of ladders.
The company couldn鈥檛 say it hadn鈥檛 been warned; it had been served a prohibition notice for height safety failings just the month before.
Bow Tie Construction Limited, of Cliveden Office Village, High Wycombe, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined 拢24,000 and ordered to pay 拢4,101 in costs at Southwark Crown Court on 13th February 2026.
HSE inspector Emma Bitz said after the hearing: 鈥淭he risks associated with working at height are well known, and this incident could have easily been prevented. Employers must ensure suitable control measures are in place, safe working practices are followed, and workers are provided with appropriate supervision. Failure to do so can result in life-changing injuries, as this case clearly demonstrates.鈥�
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