A tragic incident unfolded at a construction site in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, resulting in the death of a labourer and the subsequent legal proceedings have garnered attention. Kevin Wilkes, a company director, has been spared jail time after one of his labourers, Oleksander Rudyy, was tragically crushed to death when a wall collapsed on him.
The incident on May 8, 2019, saw Mr. Rudyy become “buried beneath bricks” after the wall gave way during construction. Despite the valiant efforts of emergency services, Mr. Rudyy succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a devastated family and community.
A post-mortem revealed that Mr. Rudyy suffered crushing asphyxia along with catastrophic chest injuries, highlighting the severity of the accident. Another worker also sustained serious injuries during the collapse, further underscoring the gravity of the situation.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Simon Briggs, the building firm boss, had prioritized cost-cutting over safety measures, leading to inadequate supervision and planning on the site. Mr. Rudyy, who was not a builder by trade, was tasked with removing steel rods from the wall without properly understanding their structural significance. This ultimately led to the collapse that claimed his life.
In a ruling that has sparked controversy, Briggs was sentenced to 23 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, his company, Stonehurst Estates Ltd, faced a hefty fine of £450,000 after pleading guilty to corporate manslaughter and breaching health and safety regulations.
The tragic loss of Mr. Rudyy has left a profound impact on his loved ones, with his widow, Neonila Ruda, expressing anguish over the lack of supervision and safety measures at the construction site. She emphasized that proper training and oversight could have prevented the devastating loss of her husband’s life.
The court’s decision to spare Briggs jail time has sparked outrage among the public, with many questioning the adequacy of the sentence given the gravity of the offence. As the legal proceedings continue, the case serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in the workplace to prevent future tragedies.
