A construction company has been fined £65,000 over the death of a worker. David Callaghan was fatally injured when he was hit by a passing vehicle while carrying out road works in Coleraine in May 2007. McNicholas Construction Services Limited was found guilty of breaching health and safety legislation at Ballymena Crown Court.
The court heard that there were no warning signs or other precautions to safeguard Mr Callaghan while he worked. The case was brought by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSE NI).
Kevin Toner, deputy chief executive with the HSE NI, said road works needed to be carried out in a well planned and safe manner. "This includes the need to provide adequate signage, warnings and where required, road closures in order to provide safety to all persons at work on or near roads."
This type of incident has been on the decrease, with the deaths of workers on roads in the UK being reduced significantly during the last three years as a result of contractor action and work by the regulators to enforce speed limits through road works.
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