Story Highlight
– Mr. Iftikhar Ahmed Mughal, 64, died from head injuries.
– Fall from unguarded scaffolding tower was fatal.
– WH Metals Limited fined for safety violations.
– Director received suspended sentence for safety breaches.
– HSE emphasizes need for edge protection in workplace.
Full Story
A 64-year-old man tragically died following a fall from unprotected scaffolding while working for WH Metals Limited in Darwen, Lancashire. Iftikhar Ahmed Mughal sustained significant head injuries after falling approximately six feet from a scaffolding tower lacking edge protection. He was transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries four days later.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that both WH Metals Limited and its director, who was present on site during the incident, failed to implement necessary safety measures to prevent falls from height, known to pose severe risks in the workplace. HSE guidelines recommend the installation of guardrails on scaffolding to ensure worker safety, a precaution that, if applied, might have prevented this fatal outcome.
Mr. Mughal’s son, Asad Iftikar, expressed the devastating impact of his father’s loss on the family, stating, “My father was like a roof to the family, and since his death, I and my siblings have felt alone.”
In light of these findings, WH Metals Limited was found guilty of violating health and safety regulations and was fined £45,000, in addition to incurring costs of £4,826.21 and a victim surcharge of £2,000. The company’s director, Waqas Hanif, also pleaded guilty to similar charges and received a 26-week suspended prison sentence along with an additional cost of £4,846.21 and a victim surcharge of £154.
HSE inspector David Hobbs remarked on the broader implications of the incident, indicating, “Work at height remains one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death… This case illustrates the essential nature of effective safety measures, like edge protection, to prevent serious injuries or fatalities.”
This incident underscores the critical importance of compliance with safety regulations and the need for constant vigilance in workplace practices to protect workers from preventable accidents.
This is a devastating reminder that basic safety measures must never be treated as optional. Edge protection on scaffolding is a fundamental control that saves lives. Employers and site managers must ensure scaffolds are properly designed, erected and inspected and that workers are trained and supervised to use them safely. Regulators and companies should treat this as a clear call to review procedures, enforce compliance and prioritise prevention so no family has to suffer this loss again.
This is a heartbreaking reminder that basic safety measures save lives. Installing proper edge protection on scaffolding is not optional; it is a fundamental control that prevents falls and their catastrophic consequences. Employers must ensure scaffolds are designed, erected and inspected to current standards, and that workers receive clear supervision and instruction. Regulators and companies should treat incidents like this as urgent lessons: review procedures, enforce compliance and provide the resources needed to keep people safe. My condolences to the family for their loss.