Scaffolding firm fined after worker falls to his death

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A scaffolding firm has been fined £40,000 after a worker fell six metres to his death in 2011…

A Glasgow-based scaffolding firm has been fined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an employee was killed while on a job.

The 53-year-old man, James Baillie, fell nearly six metres through a scaffold tower deck. He was carrying out roof work on a two-storey domestic property in Thorntonhall, South Lanarkshire on the 22 September 2011. Mr Baillie died from serious head injuries on the 23 September 2011.

The case, which was brought before Hamilton Sheriff Court, revealed the scaffold deck was in a bad state of repair due to brown rot decay. As a result, Mr Baillie fell to his death.

The firm, Extra Access Limited, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. A fine of £40,000 was issued.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Graeme McMinn said: “The company failed to provide safe and suitable working equipment for their customer and his workers.

“There is no excuse for allowing the use at work of mobile access tower components that were in such a poor condition, the scaffolding industry is well aware of the risks involved in this type of work.

“Mr Baillie’s tragic death could have been avoided if Extra Access Limited had ensured the scaffold tower deck was properly inspected and maintained or otherwise taken out of service.”

Information for working safely at height can be found on the HSE site. http://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/index.htm

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