A severe safety breach led to a significant fine for McTaggart Construction Ltd after a roofer was injured.
- The incident involved a roofer thrown from a cherry picker after it was struck by a bus.
- McTaggart Construction Ltd pleaded guilty to health and safety regulation breaches in a Glasgow court.
- An investigation revealed the lack of effective planning and safety measures during the work at height.
- McTaggart Construction has since reviewed its safety policies to prevent future incidents.
A serious breach in safety regulations resulted in a major legal repercussion for McTaggart Construction Ltd, following a tragic accident that left a roofer with severe injuries. The incident, which occurred on 4 February 2022, took place when a roofer was ejected from a cherry picker on a construction site on Ardencraig Road, Glasgow, after it was hit by a bus. This led to the company facing substantial legal penalties.
The Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that McTaggart Construction Ltd, based in North Ayrshire, admitted their failure to adhere to construction and health and safety regulations. This negligence led to a fine totalling £215,000, comprising a £200,000 penalty and a £15,000 victim surcharge.
Authorities detailed how the accident unfolded: the cherry picker, engaged in cladding repairs at the time, had its basket elevated over the road, leading to a collision with a double-decker bus. This impact thrust the cherry picker onto its rear wheels, propelling the roofer first onto a car roof and then onto the pavement. The roofer was left with permanent impairments due to the fall, although the cherry picker’s operator remained within the basket.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive highlighted critical shortcomings in McTaggart Construction’s planning and execution of the work conducted at height. The lack of segregation between the cherry picker operations and road traffic was underscored as a significant contributor to the incident. Furthermore, the roofer had not been wearing required personal protective equipment, exacerbating the severity of the outcome.
In light of this event, McTaggart Construction has implemented extensive remedial measures, including a comprehensive review and update of its operational and safety guidelines. Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s Debbie Carroll commented that such failures have grave consequences, emphasising the need for employers to adhere strictly to safety obligations.
While McTaggart Construction has not publicly commented on the court’s decision, the case serves as a stark reminder within the industry of the potential cost of neglecting safety measures. This incident underlines the critical importance of effective planning and risk management in construction projects.
This case starkly highlights the significant consequences of failing to implement effective safety measures in construction.
