McTaggart Construction has been fined £215,000 for a safety breach resulting in a worker’s severe injuries.
- A worker was catapulted from a boom lift after it was hit by a bus in Glasgow.
- The company admitted to failing in safety regulations at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
- Deficiencies were found in the planning and execution of high-altitude work.
- McTaggart has since revised its protocols to prevent future incidents.
McTaggart Construction, based in North Ayrshire, faced a £215,000 fine after pleading guilty to breaching construction regulations and health and safety laws. This followed an incident at a construction site in Castlemilk, Glasgow, where a 27-year-old roofer was severely injured.
The roofer, stationed in the basket of a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP), was working on cladding repairs when a double-decker bus struck the boom arm, causing the platform to tilt dangerously. As a result, the roofer was thrown from the basket, landing on a car roof before hitting the pavement, leading to serious injuries and permanent impairment.
An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive revealed McTaggart’s failure to adequately plan the elevated work and ensure proper use of personal protective equipment. Additionally, suitable measures to keep the MEWP separate from road traffic were lacking, highlighting significant safety oversights by the company.
At the Glasgow Sheriff Court, McTaggart Construction admitted to these failings, acknowledging their lapses in worker safety protocols. In response to the incident, the company has undertaken substantial updates to their safety procedures and planning processes, aiming to mitigate risks and enhance the protection of their workforce.
The case underscores the necessity of stringent safety measures in construction environments.
