A construction contractor has been fined £110,000 after a falling stone fatally struck a man during building work, a court has heard.
The case was brought following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the circumstances surrounding the workplace death.
According to evidence presented in court, the victim was killed when a large piece of stone fell from height during construction activity.
The court heard that the incident occurred while work was taking place at the site, where the stone became dislodged and struck the man below.
Emergency services attended the scene but the victim died from his injuries.
Following the fatal incident, the Health and Safety Executive launched a detailed investigation into the site’s safety procedures and working practices.
Inspectors examined the conditions under which the work was being carried out and whether proper safeguards had been put in place to protect workers from falling materials.
The investigation concluded that safety failures had occurred which led to the fatal accident.
The contractor responsible for the work was prosecuted under workplace safety legislation.
During the hearing, the court found that the company had failed to ensure adequate safety measures were in place to prevent materials from falling during the construction work.
As a result of those failures, the contractor was fined £110,000.
Workplace safety authorities regularly warn that falling materials remain one of the most serious hazards within the construction industry.
The Health and Safety Executive said companies have a legal duty to ensure that appropriate safety controls are in place to protect workers and members of the public.
The case serves as a reminder of the risks associated with construction work and the importance of strict safety procedures to prevent similar tragedies.
