Foster + Partners and three other companies are currently on trial at Inner London Crown Court over the tragic death of Mick Ferris, 53. Mr Ferris was killed instantly when a 130kg window pane fell 26 storeys from The Corniche tower block on London’s Embankment on October 2, 2018.
The prosecution claims that the architecture firm ignored foreseeable risks associated with the dangerous outward-opening window design. Mr Ferris, who worked as a driver for Clarkes Of London, was returning to his coach opposite the building when the glass panel, measuring 85cm by 190cm, shattered onto the pavement below.
According to the prosecution, the window was secured only by a single metal restrictor, making it vulnerable to being pried off by wind gusts.
In August 2017, a window panel from the same development had already fallen but did not cause any injuries. Jurors heard that despite this earlier incident, Foster + Partners and the developers failed to revise the window designs or implement adequate safety measures.
Originally, the windows were designed to open inward safely, but they were later changed to open outward without proper failsafe backup systems. Prosecutor Gordon Menzies stated it was “reasonably practicable” for the architects to design safer windows, but they failed to do so.
The court was informed of eight missed opportunities to reassess the window safety risks. Temporary warnings advising residents not to open the windows and instructing construction workers to avoid opening them were deemed insufficient safeguards.
St James Group Ltd took responsibility as principal designer in 2015 and was charged with overseeing health and safety. The trial focuses on whether Foster + Partners and others failed their legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, leading to a preventable death.
Originally published by UKNIP.
