DEMOLITION WORKER LOST BALANCE IN FATAL FALL

Lack of measures in place to prevent fall from mezzanine floor.

A Glasgow based demolition contractor has been fined after a workman fell to his death from a mezzanine deck during a demolition project in Edinburgh in January 2015.
 

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard how Peter Millar died 10 days after he fell whilst dismantling the mezzanine deck at the Fort Kinnaird Retail Park south of Edinburgh.
 

He was on the mezzanine level to remove wooden boards when he “lost his balance” and fell. There were no measures in place to prevent him falling to the ground.
 

Failure to plan demolition activity

HSE found that the demolition activity had not been adequately planned to prevent danger as there were no measures in place to prevent access onto the mezzanine floor and no measures in place to prevent a person falling from the mezzanine deck.
 

Walker Demo Limited of Somervell Street, Cambuslang, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £40,000
 

Speaking after the hearing, inspector Gerry Muir said:

“The failure of Walker Demo Limited to properly plan the dismantling of the mezzanine deck led to an uncontrolled risk of a fall from height which was sadly realised when Mr Millar gained access to the deck and fell.

Work at height is the single biggest cause of fatal and serious injuries in the construction industry. During demolition and dismantling, workers can be injured falling from edges, through openings, fragile surfaces and partially demolished floors. Duty holders have a responsibility to assess, eliminate and control the risks of falls from height.”

Fall Protection

Fall prevention is essential when working at height, and Total Access (UK) Limited can help make this a much safer task. The Total Access (UK) Limited Fall Protection Department offers a nationwide service specialising in the design and installation of high level access soloutions to facilitate the safe and efficient working environment of roof maintenance, on scaffolding, abseil cleaning and other high level tasks.

Our fall protection department include courses such as Working Safely at Height, Fall Protection Equipment Training and Harness & Lanyard Training.

To see all of our Fall Protection courses click here