Coroner calls for action after Shevington gran crushed by wall

An investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive revealed the complete failure of a series of wall ties in the upper part of the cavity wall below the gable wall.

Hartley said that “any reasonably competent property management company and/or responsible landlord would, at the very least, have ensured that the wall was monitored for any signs of progression and, by no later than 2018, would have ensure that a structural survey was performed”.

The assistant coroner for Manchester West said in her prevention of future deaths report that the wall was affected by structural defects, including wall tie failure – of which there was “clear evidence and where no investigation or remedial works had been carried out, which, if undertaken, would have prevented the collapse”.

She expressed concern that neither S&G Properties (No2 Ltd) nor KMPM were following the government’s Housing Health and Safety Rating System guidance designed to avoid or minimise potential hazards.

The report said there were “no clear systems in place at either company and at the intersection of the two companies to prevent the recurrence of circumstances such as those leading to the deceased’s death”.

This was “namely the development of a serious hazard during a tenancy which, as in the deceased’s case, is reported but is not appropriately or timeously responded to or which is not identified by the tenant”.

The report also states that neither company had carried out a post-incident evaluation of their properties to ensure they were “free from serious hazards which remain outstanding and have not come to the attention of the local authority”.

Hartley said in her opinion, unless action was taken to address these concerns “then there is a significant risk of future deaths and I believe both of you have the power to take such action”.