A construction company has been fined £300,000 after a 33-year-old kitchen fitter was crushed to death by falling concrete blocks at a housing development in the Cotswolds.
Martin Dunford died at the Ebrington Rise site near Chipping Campden on 23 January 2020. He was pinned against a lorry by two toppling stacks of concrete blocks while attempting to speak with a delivery driver.
The blocks had been precariously placed one atop another, the top stack resting on a wooden pallet, when the fatal accident happened.
Family ‘Navigating Endless Grief’
Martin’s sister, Tracey Hunter, described the death as a preventable tragedy that has left the family devastated.
“Martin went to work and never came home. His life was unjustly cut short,” she said in a statement read in court.
She said he had been working on a site with “ongoing issues” and a lack of adherence to established safety guidelines.
“Martin was very much loved by his family and friends. He is missed every day and nothing can ever fill the hole that is left by him no longer being here.
“We, his family and friends, are still all navigating throughout this endless period of grief and today’s verdict is the start of some sense of justice towards his senseless death.”
Unsafe Stacking and Poor Site Management
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Piper Homes Construction Limited, which was the principal contractor on site, had failed to:
- Provide a suitable, level storage area for concrete blocks
- Ensure wooden pallets were in good condition
- Exclude personnel from delivery zones
The failings breached Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company, now in liquidation, pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on 29 April 2025. It was also ordered to pay £5,236 in costs.
‘Entirely Avoidable Incident’
HSE inspector James Lucas said the death could have been prevented with basic planning and vigilance.
“This was an entirely avoidable incident and our thoughts remain with Martin’s family,” he said. “Storage of construction materials should be properly planned and managed, to ensure that if materials are stored at height, the necessary measures are in place to prevent them from falling and potentially injuring persons.”
He urged site managers to inspect pallets regularly and ensure materials stored at height are secure and pose no danger to workers.
“Had this been done on this particular site, Martin would have returned home safely to his family,” Lucas said.
On-Site Storage: 5 Key Safety Reminders for Managers
- Use only pallets in good condition – cracked or unstable pallets are a major hazard.
- Ensure storage areas are level and clear of obstructions.
- Do not stack heavy materials beyond recommended heights.
- Exclude workers from active delivery or loading zones.
- Review HSE guidance on pallet safety and material storage regularly.