A total of £50,000 in fines was given out to a construction company and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council after an electrical engineer was struck by a falling tree when working.
24-year-old Matthew Campbell, who was an employee of Lagan Construction Limited, was fatally injured when a large, 200-year-old beech tree was uprooted by strong winds during Storm Ali in September 2018.
An investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) found that the construction company and the council breached health and safety legislation.
Today (Tuesday, March 26) at Newry Crown Court, Newry, Mourne and Down Distrct Council was fined £20,000 and Lagan Construction Limited was fined £30,000.
The HSENI found that both employers failed to make a suitable and sufficient risk assessment.
The council also failed to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of non-employees, the HSENI said.
Speaking after the hearing, 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.”
Weather warnings
The HSENI’s investigation also established that both employers were in receipt of Met Office weather warnings, which advised of a strengthening storm with the potential to cause danger to life.
“Weather warnings should always be considered,” Murphy said.
“They are important and are designed to let people know what the impacts may be of severe weather, including strong winds.”
The beech tree fell on Matthew Campbell while he was working near the entrance of the forest park which was under the management and control of the council.
The ongoing work was part of a water mains rehabilitation project designed to improve water pressure in the forest park café and amenities.
Campbell’s line manager was also seriously injured by the falling tree.
