Eugeniusz Malek · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 22th and 23th October 2019, evidence was heard touching the death of Eugeniusz MALEK. On Saturday 23rd June 2018, Mr Malek was part of a team of plasterers renovating a house. He fell from a ladder sustaining fatal injuries. He was 50 years old at the time of his death. The jury made the following findings:

Medical Cause of Death

I (a) exsanguination
(b) Transected Right Femoral Artery
(c) Penetrating Injury to Right Groin

II Alcohol Intoxication

How, when, where Mr Malek came by his death:

On 23rd June 2018, at ████████ Mr Eugeniusz Malek fell from a ladder onto a scaffolding pole resulting in the injuries stated above. He was pronounced dead at 09:40. On the balance of probabilities the deceased’s alcohol levels contributed to his death.

Conclusion of the Jury as to the death:

Mr Eugeniusz Malek died as a result of an accident.

Extensive evidence was taken in court. In summary, of relevance to this report:

The pole on which Mr Malek landed was uncapped and therefore sharp edged and more likely to inflict the injuries sustained. There is no current regulation that uncapped scaffolding poles in areas where a person may fall, walk into, or trip over them should be capped. Some building sites voluntarily cap such poles, or otherwise pad them. Caps are relatively cheap and easily available.

1. That ends of scaffolding poles sited in areas where workers may fall, trip or collide with them should be capped.