HSE has fined construction firm Merchant Homes Partnership Limited £160,000 after a worker died in an incident involving a falling vehicle
The upturned telehandler fatality took place on the 11th of May at a building site in Stepford Road, Glasgow.
Scott Bradley was reversing the vehicle on-site when it slid down an embankment and overturned.
HSE investigated the upturned telehandler fatality
The telehandler was being moved to use scaffolding behind the houses under construction before the incident took place.
Colleagues attended to Mr Bradley following the event, followed by emergency services, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene due to crush injuries.
The HSE and Police Scotland subsequently investigated, and determined that the firm was at fault for not risk assessing the traffic route the telehandler took.
The firm was in breach of HSE regulations
As such, they were in breach of Regulation 27(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
HSE inspector James Caren commented on the upturned telehandler fatality: “This was a tragic incident and our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Mr Bradley.
“Our investigation discovered that Merchant Homes Partnership Limited had failed in its duty to properly risk assess and introduce measures to ensure the traffic route was suitable for the telehandler being driven by Mr Bradley. As a result of this, the telehandler’s wheels went over the edge of the traffic route while it was being reversed, which tragically led to the vehicle overturning.”
The sherriff, who handed down the fine, said: “The company is currently in liquidation. It was submitted that the fine should be proportionate to the means of the offender. In short, they have little, if any means at all. The liquidation process is ongoing and it remains to be determined what the financial position will crystallise at.”
Full HSE guidance for operations can be found on the HSE wesbite.
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