The Birmingham Site Tragedy: Lessons for Safety with ISO 45001

In September 2024, a construction project at the University of Birmingham turned deadly when Igor Malka, a 62-year-old worker, fell around 10 metres from a scissor lift. Tragically, he died from his injuries, and another man, Edmund Vispulskis, sustained life-altering harm.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation concluded that Balfour Beatty, the principal contractor on the project, had failed to ensure effective communication and coordination between contractors working on-site. (HSE Press Office)

This incident is not just a tragic statistic - it’s a sobering reminder that even high-profile, well-resourced projects are not immune to serious safety failings. And it reinforces the urgent need for companies to move beyond minimum compliance and adopt structured, proactive health and safety management systems like ISO 45001:2018.

What Is ISO 45001:2018?

ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS). It provides a robust, risk-based framework for managing health and safety within organisations of all sizes and industries.

Unlike reactive safety models that rely on responding to incidents after they occur, ISO 45001 helps businesses prevent harm by identifying, assessing, and controlling workplace risks before they result in injury or fatality.

The standard is designed to:

• Promote safe working environments

• Improve communication across all levels of an organisation

• Ensure legal compliance

• Drive continual improvement in health and safety practices

For complex, multi-contractor environments like construction sites, ISO 45001 is more than just helpful - it’s essential.

How ISO 45001 Could Have Prevented the Birmingham Incident

1. Improved Contractor Coordination and Oversight

One of the central failings identified by the HSE was poor communication between contractors on the site. ISO 45001 requires organisations to manage outsourced processes and ensure effective communication channels exist across all involved parties, including subcontractors.

Had ISO 45001 been in place and properly implemented, Balfour Beatty would have been required to:

• Assess the safety procedures of all subcontractors

• Establish site-wide safety briefings

• Use formal communication protocols to coordinate high-risk activities

This systemised approach could have reduced confusion, clarified roles and responsibilities, and ultimately prevented the conflicting activities that led to the fatal fall.

2. Risk-Based Thinking and Hazard Identification

ISO 45001 embeds risk-based thinking throughout the management system. Before any high-risk activity such as work at height is undertaken, a certified system would require:

• Thorough risk assessments

• Method statements reviewed and signed off

• Physical safeguards like edge protection and fall arrest equipment

These steps aren’t optional under ISO 45001 - they are integrated into everyday operations and monitored regularly for effectiveness. In this case, the risk of working at height with potentially unstable or unsupervised lift operation might have been flagged and addressed beforehand.

3. Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning

ISO 45001 mandates that organisations have emergency preparedness procedures in place, and that they are tested and communicated to all workers. In a fast-moving construction environment, workers must know exactly how to respond in the event of an incident.

While the loss of life in this case was sadly irreversible, effective emergency procedures can often reduce the severity of injuries, support faster medical intervention, and help on-site personnel deal with shock and trauma.

4. A Culture of Prevention and Continuous Improvement

Perhaps most importantly, ISO 45001 fosters a culture where every employee feels responsible for health and safety, from the boardroom to the construction site. The standard requires organisations to consult with workers, act on feedback, and create a working environment where safety concerns can be raised without fear of reprisal or delay.

Would a culture like that have made a difference at the University of Birmingham site? It’s hard to say for certain - but it would have dramatically increased the chances of the risks being spotted and addressed before tragedy struck.

Why UK Construction Firms Should Take Notice

Construction remains one of the most hazardous sectors in the UK. According to the HSE’s 2023/2024 statistics, construction accounted for 31 of the 135 work-related fatalities recorded across all industries. Falls from height remain the leading cause of death. (HSE Fatal Injury Statistics)

With increasing scrutiny on safety from regulators, the public, and project stakeholders, now is the time for UK construction firms to invest in proven, proactive safety systems.

ISO 45001 helps you:

• Reduce workplace accidents and fatalities

• Improve workforce morale and trust

• Demonstrate compliance to clients and regulators

• Lower the risk of legal claims and reputational damage

• Win contracts that require safety certification

Conclusion: Don’t Wait for a Wake-Up Call

The death of Igor Malka and the serious injury sustained by Edmund Vispulskis should not have happened. But like many tragic incidents, it has the potential to drive change and save lives - if businesses are willing to act.

ISO 45001:2018 is not just about ticking a compliance box. It’s about building a safer, more responsible business that puts people first. Whether you’re a contractor, developer, or facilities manager, the message is clear: proactive safety isn’t a luxury - it’s a duty.

If your organisation hasn’t yet adopted ISO 45001, now is the time to consider what’s at stake - and what’s possible when safety becomes part of your company’s culture.

Don't wait any longer. Sign up to a Certification Audit with AAA and take the first step towards achieving ISO 45001 certification.