A construction company has been fined £550,000 over the “foreseeable and avoidable death” of a worker who was impaled on metal piping, according to the Crown Office.
Matthew Mason, 20, was working at Bearsden train station in East Dunbartonshire to install a PA system when he fell to his death.
The worker was attempting to free cabling which had become stuck when he fell backwards from a step ladder and was impaled on a section of piping being used as the handle on a cable drum.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, after the pipe pierced his side.
Sheffield-based Linbrooke Services was found guilty at Dumbarton Sheriff Court of three offences, including failing to identify the risks of pulling cabling through a conduit at height, despite previously having been alerted to the issues by a sub-contractor.
The company was also ordered to pay £200,000 to Mason’s family in compensation when the case called for sentencing on Monday.
In a 14-day trial, prosecutors argued the firm had failed assess risks and put in place a safe system of work.
Stepladders were also identified as being unsuitable for Mason’s work, as well as insufficient measures having been put in place to prevent a fall and to ensure the work area was free of material that could cause injury in the event of a fall.
Construction company fined £550,000 after worker fall death – Business Insider