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Company failed to take preventive action during record high winds
It has been reported by ScaffMag.com that G & T Crampton has been fined €100,000 following an incident in 2007 when Irish worker Eddie Fowler, aged 28, died after being struck by a scaffold board which fell from the scaffolding in high winds.
Dublin Criminal Court heard that the death occurred during the construction of Charlestown Center in Finglas in January 2007. Mr Fowler was on his way to his tea break when he was struck on the head by board.
Severe weather warning ignored
On the day of the incident record high winds were recorded and a severe weather warning was issued. A Health and Safety inspector said workers should not of been allowed into the section of the site where the incident occurred. After Mr Fowler was struck the decision to evacuate the site was taken.
The court heard that T & G Crampton was aware of problems with scaffold boards blowing off in lesser winds and would of been aware of the severe weather warnings issued. The company apologised and expressed its ‘profound regret’ for the death of Mr Fowler.
Judge Martin Nolan said
“This was a very sad case and added that the company had made the wrong judgement on the day to allow workers on the site while knowing the risks of scaffold boards being lifted by the extreme weather on the day.”