Bath Builder Killed By Collapsed Wall

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A building company has been fined after an employee was crushed to death when a 1.8m high retaining wall collapsed onto him.

Gary Anstey, 57, from Bristol, was working for H. Mealing & Sons Limited at a construction site at a school in Bath when the incident happened on 19 March 2019.

An investigation by the Health Safety Executive found that H. Mealing & Sons Limited failed to properly plan and supervise the construction of the retaining wall at Swainswick School. This led to it becoming unstable when a large load of aggregate was placed against the incomplete wall which was not supported.

The HSE requires that any temporary structure must be designed and installed to withstand any loads placed against it and that it is used in accordance with its design. This includes ensuring appropriately trained operatives are provided with a suitable written design and plan to install to ensure the structure remains stable.

Family devastated

In a victim personal statement, Gary’s wife Anne Anstey, said: “Gary’s workplace should have been a safe place to work. He should have come home as he always did – and now he hasn’t been here to celebrate all the family milestones and that is something that we as a family have to live with.”

She added: “Gary was 57 years old and had just become a grandad when he died. He was always full of life. He has missed Scarlett grow up into a funny loving girl and missed out on the celebration of Scott and his wife buying their first house, all the children starting school and many other milestones in our lives.”

Fines

Mealing & Sons Limited of Northend, Batheaston, Bath pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £56,775 and ordered to pay £44,000 in costs at Taunton Magistrates’ Court on 11 September 2025.

HSE inspector Ian Whittles said: “This was a horrific incident which had heartbreaking consequences. It happened because of a lack of planning and coordination, which is all too common in construction activity. With simple clear procedures and appropriate training this incident would not have happened.”

Picture: The collapsed wall that killed Gary Anstey.

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
23rd September 2025

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