A tragic incident occurred at a Glasgow construction site, resulting in a hefty fine for the company involved.
- A telehandler accident claimed the life of Scott Bradley, a 44-year-old construction worker.
- The vehicle tipped over while reversing on an embankment, leading to his tragic demise on 11th May 2022.
- Investigations revealed a failure in risk-assessing the traffic route by Merchant Homes Partnership Limited.
- The company admitted to breaching safety regulations and was fined £160,000.
The untimely death of Scott Bradley at a Glasgow construction site has led to significant legal repercussions for the principal contractor, Merchant Homes Partnership Limited. This tragic event unfolded when a telehandler, operated by Mr Bradley, overturned on a bank. The vehicle was being used to move scaffolding behind partially constructed houses when it went off course and toppled.
Despite swift intervention by colleagues and emergency services, Mr Bradley succumbed to the severe crush injuries he sustained at the scene. The incident, which took place on the 11th of May 2022, highlights the critical importance of adhering to safety protocols on construction sites.
An enquiry by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) alongside Police Scotland revealed that the accident could have potentially been avoided. The findings pointed out that the route Mr Bradley was reversing along had not been properly risk-assessed. As a result, the telehandler’s wheels veered over the edge, leading to the catastrophic overturning.
In light of these findings, Merchant Homes Partnership Limited pleaded guilty in Glasgow Sheriff Court to breaching specific safety regulations set forth in the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The court subsequently imposed a fine of £160,000 to the company as a consequence of these failings.
The HSE inspector, James Caren, remarked on the incident’s tragic nature, extending condolences to Mr Bradley’s friends and family, and emphasised the employer’s responsibility to ensure a safe working environment. “This was a tragic incident and our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Mr Bradley,” he stated, reinforcing the preventable nature of the mishap.
This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the necessity for rigorous safety assessments in construction operations.
