Lagan Construction and a local authority have been fined a combined £50,000 after a worker was killed by a falling tree during a storm.
Electrical engineer Matthew Campbell, 24, died after working on water mains at Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Newry, Northern Ireland, in September 2018 in stormy conditions.
According to a statement from the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), Lagan Construction and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council both failed to sufficiently assess the risks involved due to the weather on the job, which involved improving water pressure at the park’s cafe and amenities.
Both the council and contractor were aware of Met Office weather warnings about the danger of the storm, called Ali.
A 200-year-old beech tree was uprooted by strong winds, killing Campbell and seriously injuring his line manager.
The pair were employees of Lagan Construction, which was carrying out the work on behalf of the council.
Lagan Construction Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000.
It was fined £30,000.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council pleaded guilty to breaching the same law, and also Article 5(1) of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978.
The local authority was fined a total of £20,000. HSENI said it was prosecuted for failing to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of non-employees, as well as for the lack of risk assessment.
In a statement, HSENI inspector Katrina Murphy said: “This tragic incident needlessly claimed the life of a young man who was working in an area populated with mature trees during a severe weather event.
“All employers need to assess the risk from the effect of potential storm conditions on their work activities and take necessary precautions.”
She added: “Weather warnings should always be considered. They are important and are designed to let people know what the impacts may be of severe weather, including strong winds.”
Lagan Construction is part of the Lagan Specialist Contracting Group. It was one of the 26 subsidiaries that continued to trade after four large Lagan Construction Group companies went into administration in February 2018.
