Building contractor Nickell & Richmond Limited, have been prosecuted for four health and safety offences after a worker died at a house building site in Jordanstown.
On 22 June 2018, Mr Terrence McCloud, fell 2.8 metres through an opening on the first floor where a staircase was to be built, he tragically died later as a result of his injuries.
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSE NI) found that the company had earlier placed trestles and barrier tape to mark out and prevent access to the stairwell, but the safety measures in place at the time of the incident were not sufficient to prevent Mr McCloud or any other person from falling.
They also found that the company had not carried out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and had failed to plan, manage and monitor the construction phase of the house building project.
The company pleased guilty at Belfast Crown Court and were fined a total of £40,000 (£10,000 per breach) for breaching the following:
HSE NI Principal Inspector Kyle Carrick, said: "Working at height incidents are avoidable. All contractors must ensure that robust measures are put in place to prevent falls which can all too often result in serious injury or death. Internal openings represent a serious hazard but simple measures such as fitting guardrails or secure boarding may be all that is required to prevent a tragedy."
