Menu
04/09/2003
Construction companies fined for health & safety incidents
Two Co Antrim construction firms have been prosecuted for breaches of health and safety legislation, which in one case, almost led to the deaths of two workers on a building site.
McCombe Brothers (Antrim) Limited were prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) over an incident which occurring during work at Dominican College, Fortwilliam Park, Belfast, on 29 January 2002.
During the building of a perimeter brick wall along an unsupported edge of a pre-cast concrete floor slab, the slab tilted and resulted in both the wall and several workers being thrown from a height of four metres to the ground.
The company was fined £2750 and ordered to pay costs for maintaining an unsafe system of work at heights - one of the most common causes of accidents in the construction industry.
The second case involved R J Armstrong Surfacing of Lisburn, who were prosecuted following an incident which took place during a road patching operation on Drumaknockan Lane, Hillsborough. The tipper body of a lorry came into contact with overhead power lines and two workers received electric shocks - which could have resulted in their deaths. The firm was fined £1500 and ordered to pay costs.
In a separate incidence, James Donaghey of Donegal was prosecuted following an accident during the construction of the Newtownstewart bypass. On 27 February 2002 Mr Donaghey was responsible for driving a tractor and trailer in such a manner that a worker at the site was knocked into an excavation. Mr Donaghey was fined £400 and costs were awarded against him.
Commenting on the cases, Ken Logan, Head of the HSENI’s Construction Group said: “Those who are prepared to breach health and safety legislation must also accept the consequences. This not only extends to companies but individuals will also be held accountable where appropriate.
"HSENI is committed to playing its part in BUILDSAFE-NI, the cross-industry partnership initiative aimed at improving the safety record of the construction industry. Too many people are shirking their responsibilities and until we have a change of attitude with all involved in the construction industry, this atrocious health and safety record will continue."
McCombe Brothers (Antrim) Limited were prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) over an incident which occurring during work at Dominican College, Fortwilliam Park, Belfast, on 29 January 2002.
During the building of a perimeter brick wall along an unsupported edge of a pre-cast concrete floor slab, the slab tilted and resulted in both the wall and several workers being thrown from a height of four metres to the ground.
The company was fined £2750 and ordered to pay costs for maintaining an unsafe system of work at heights - one of the most common causes of accidents in the construction industry.
The second case involved R J Armstrong Surfacing of Lisburn, who were prosecuted following an incident which took place during a road patching operation on Drumaknockan Lane, Hillsborough. The tipper body of a lorry came into contact with overhead power lines and two workers received electric shocks - which could have resulted in their deaths. The firm was fined £1500 and ordered to pay costs.
In a separate incidence, James Donaghey of Donegal was prosecuted following an accident during the construction of the Newtownstewart bypass. On 27 February 2002 Mr Donaghey was responsible for driving a tractor and trailer in such a manner that a worker at the site was knocked into an excavation. Mr Donaghey was fined £400 and costs were awarded against him.
Commenting on the cases, Ken Logan, Head of the HSENI’s Construction Group said: “Those who are prepared to breach health and safety legislation must also accept the consequences. This not only extends to companies but individuals will also be held accountable where appropriate.
"HSENI is committed to playing its part in BUILDSAFE-NI, the cross-industry partnership initiative aimed at improving the safety record of the construction industry. Too many people are shirking their responsibilities and until we have a change of attitude with all involved in the construction industry, this atrocious health and safety record will continue."
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 April 2024
NI Firms To Attend National Construction Summit In Dublin
Hundreds of construction companies and experts are set to travel to Dublin next week for the annual National Construction Summit at the Sport Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown.
NI Firms To Attend National Construction Summit In Dublin
Hundreds of construction companies and experts are set to travel to Dublin next week for the annual National Construction Summit at the Sport Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown.
12 June 2002
Agreement to ensure mobility of construction labour
The Construction Skills Register (CSR) has signed a mutual recognition agreement with Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) - the equivalent scheme in Great Britain – in a move that will ensure the mobility of construction workers throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Agreement to ensure mobility of construction labour
The Construction Skills Register (CSR) has signed a mutual recognition agreement with Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) - the equivalent scheme in Great Britain – in a move that will ensure the mobility of construction workers throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
26 October 2001
‘Safe T Cert’ spells new way forward
The Construction Employers’ Federation (CEF) is set to participate in an initiative known as ‘Safe T Cert’.
‘Safe T Cert’ spells new way forward
The Construction Employers’ Federation (CEF) is set to participate in an initiative known as ‘Safe T Cert’.
16 January 2002
Local construction companies fined for flouting law
Four local construction companies have been prosecuted following several instances of a serious breach of health and safety standards when working at heights.
Local construction companies fined for flouting law
Four local construction companies have been prosecuted following several instances of a serious breach of health and safety standards when working at heights.
06 December 2001
Health and Safety warning for construction industry
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has issued a warning to the construction industry, following initial investigations into two recent fatal accidents. The first of these fatal accidents took place in Belfast on November 19 and the second at Blackwater, County Armagh on December 4.
Health and Safety warning for construction industry
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has issued a warning to the construction industry, following initial investigations into two recent fatal accidents. The first of these fatal accidents took place in Belfast on November 19 and the second at Blackwater, County Armagh on December 4.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
