Story Highlight
– Apprentice joiner died from falling plasterboard incident.
– David Horrocks received a suspended 26-week prison sentence.
– Varcity Living fined £50,000 for health and safety breaches.
– Court found site management was “chaotic” and unsafe.
– Bidwell’s mother expressed ongoing trauma from her loss.
Full Story
A property management director has received a suspended prison sentence following the tragic death of an 18-year-old apprentice joiner, who succumbed to injuries sustained when a stack of plasterboard fell on her. The incident involving Chloe Bidwell occurred on December 20, 2023, while she was alone at a residential renovation site in Bangor, Gwynedd.
An inquest determined that Bidwell died from severe neck injuries after being struck by the plasterboard, which had been stored in a hallway of the property. David Horrocks, aged 45, from Felinheli, Gwynedd, along with his company, Varcity Living Limited, pleaded guilty at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court to violations of health and safety regulations.
Horrocks was handed a 26-week prison sentence, but this was suspended for a period of two years. In addition, Varcity Living Limited was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay £10,000 in costs. During the proceedings, the court described the company’s site management practices as “chaotic,” and deemed its strategies for minimizing risk as “shoddy.”
Chloe Bidwell, who hailed from Trearddur Bay in Anglesey, had been an apprentice joiner with Varcity Living since 2020. Her work ethic was highly regarded, with colleagues characterising her as a “competent” and “diligent” worker. On the day of the incident, she had been alone at the property on Coed Celyn, which was being converted into student accommodation. A colleague was initially present but had left the site after receiving permission to attend a funeral. Alarm was raised by Bidwell’s father, Alistair, when he was unable to reach her, prompting a co-worker to return to the site, where he discovered her body.
Details subsequently revealed that Bidwell might have been attempting to retrieve plywood when the plasterboard collapsed on her. In a poignant victim impact statement delivered in court by her mother, Clare Stephenson-Brown, she described her daughter as “full of life, energy and determination.” The family had been looking forward to Bidwell embarking on her aspiration to travel the world and pursue a career as a firefighter. Her mother detailed the overwhelming grief the family experienced: “The fact that she was by herself in those final moments is something which causes us unbearable pain… we live every day with the trauma of losing Chloe so suddenly and so young.”
The court was informed that Varcity Living was already under scrutiny for safety breaches, having faced enforcement action back in 2018 for failing to establish effective health and safety planning and suitable risk assessments. Judge Gwyn Jones expressed frustration, mentioning that the firm’s risk assessment documentation was considered “not worth the paper it was written on,” as the staff had not been adequately informed of its contents. This point was underscored by allegations of a systemic failure in conducting risk assessments, particularly concerning the protocol for lone working.
The prosecution highlighted that there was no designated site manager with the requisite skills and experience to ensure safety at the site. It was asserted that David Horrocks was aware that at least two workers should be present on site at all times. Notably, Chloe herself had communicated concerns regarding working alone to her father, who had subsequently raised these issues with her employer.
After the hearing, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Rachael Newman described the tragedy as “wholly avoidable.” She stressed that apprentices should never be left to work unsupervised on construction sites. “She had every right to expect that her employer would take the basic steps needed to keep her safe at work. Her family had every right to expect that when Chloe went to work, she would come home,” Newman stated emphatically.
Newman criticized Varcity Living for failing to implement a safe storage system for the heavy plasterboards, which were stacked upright and unsecured, presenting a clear hazard. She also pointed out that the company did not provide the necessary training or supervision that a young apprentice ought to receive.
This case has reignited discussions around workplace safety, particularly regarding the treatment of apprentices and the measures that must be in place to protect young workers in potentially hazardous environments. The loss of Chloe Bidwell serves as a tragic reminder of the absolute necessity for companies to adhere to health and safety protocols and to provide a secure work environment for all employees.
As the two-year suspension of Horrocks’ sentence allows for a period of reflection, the implications of this case extend beyond the courtroom. It sheds light on critical issues surrounding workplace safety, accountability, and the moral obligation of employers to ensure that every worker returns home safely at the end of the day. The enduring impact of this tragedy will resonate within the community as they seek to honour Chloe’s memory and advocate for improved safety standards in the construction industry.
Our Thoughts
The tragic death of Chloe Bidwell highlights critical shortcomings in health and safety practices by Varcity Living Limited. Key safety lessons include the necessity of conducting thorough risk assessments and ensuring they are communicated effectively to all workers. The judgement noted systemic failures in risk assessments, particularly regarding lone working policies.
Regulations breached include the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which mandate effective risk assessments, and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, stipulating the employer’s duty to ensure safety at work. There was also a lack of a competent site manager, violating the need for appropriate supervision outlined in the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
To prevent similar incidents, construction sites should implement strict policies against lone working, particularly for apprentices. Additionally, securing materials and providing necessary training to employees on safe practices will significantly reduce risks. Regular audits of safety measures and compliance must be enforced to promote a culture of safety and accountability.
