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Investigation found training and assessment failings led to fatal fall

East Ayrshire Council has been fined £56k following the death of an electrician who fell from a mobile elevating work platform used without stabilisers in a school gym.

Robert McGill suffered severe brain injuries during the incident at Kilmarnock Academy in April 2009.

The Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard evidence that the council failed to make “a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks”. Since the accident the council put in place a thorough and extensive health and safety review. Read full text of statement by Sheriff

The electrician had  worked for the local authority for 18 years when he fell from the MEWP as he repaired overhead lighting.

The court heard that he and another workman were using the platform without stabilisers and that the platform fell as it was being moved with Mr McGill on the platform at height.

Investigation by HSE found that no formal training had been provided to any electricians working for the council and expected to use the platform.

This article was posted on 18th June 2010 in ALL LATEST NEWS, PROSECUTIONS, mewps.
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