NG Bailey has been hauled into court and fined following the death of a construction worker on one of its sites.
Subcontractor Alistair Hutton had been moving a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) along an unfinished corridor at the Baird Family Hospital site in Aberdeen on 18 January last year when his head struck a metal lintel.
The 51-year-old, from Forfar, immediately lost consciousness and died at the scene shortly after.
NG Bailey, the lead contractor, had failed to consider overhead obstructions, especially during the transit of MEWPs on site, an investigation found.
“The assessments in place did not consider these risks despite HSE and industry guidance highlighting them and the available control measures,” a Health and Safety Executive report stated.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act and was fined £135,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £10,125 at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on 21 March.
HSE inspector Graham McEvoy said: “There was a failure by NG Bailey Limited to consider available guidance and the work that was being done, which led to inadequate risk control measures being implemented and unsafe working practices developing.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.
“Our thoughts remain with Mr Hutton’s family and friends.”
For more information about safely moving MEWPs on site, click here.
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