Church Steeple Fatal Fall From Height Fine

FOLLOWING a fatal church steeple fall in Birmingham, a specialist construction company has been fined £60,000.

David Clover was employed by Ecclesiastical Steeplejacks Ltd to carry out restoration work to Grade I listed, St Nicholas’ Church in Kings Norton, Birmingham on 13 November 2020.

The 64-year-old steeplejack had been suspended from the 60 metre tall church steeple, sitting in a ‘bosun’s chair’ – a work positioning seat – when he fell, suffering fatal injuries.

Church Steeple Fatal Fall

The bosun’s chair was not supported by a suitable backup system to prevent falls, such as a fall arrest harness, an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found.

Working at height remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries. 50 people died as a result of a fall from height in 2023/24.

Ecclesiastical Steeplejacks Ltd, which has ceased trading since the incident, pleaded guilty to breaching Work at Height Regulations 2005. It was fined £60,000 at a hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 15 January 2025.

In passing sentence, Judge Quereshi found the company had outdated attitudes to managing health and safety.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Emma Page said: “Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of work-related deaths and injury in Great Britain.

“We will take action against companies that fail to protect workers.

“Our thoughts remain with the family of David Clover.”

HSE maintains detailed working at height guidance on its website.

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